SUMUTONE.COM | TANJUNGBALAI — Tanjungbalai Police Narcotics Unit and Teluk Nibung Customs have foiled an alleged international drug smuggling attempt involving 4,044 grams of suspected methamphetamine brought from Malaysia. A 21-year-old university student from Medan, identified by the initials DQ, also known as DAI, was arrested in the operation.
The arrest took place at the Teluk Nibung Passenger Terminal in Tanjungbalai, North Sumatra, on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at around 5:20 p.m. local time, as the suspect arrived aboard a passenger ferry from Malaysia.
Tanjungbalai Police Narcotics Unit Chief AKP Yudi F said the case was uncovered after Customs officers became suspicious of a blue suitcase bearing the brand name SONIA CABIN during routine baggage screening using an X-ray scanner.
“Customs officers became suspicious of a blue suitcase bearing the brand name SONIA CABIN belonging to a passenger identified by the initials DAI. They then coordinated with the Tanjungbalai Police Narcotics Unit to conduct a joint inspection,” Yudi said.
A thorough search of the suitcase uncovered eight transparent plastic packages containing white crystalline substances suspected to be methamphetamine, with a total gross weight of 4,044 grams, or approximately 4.04 kilograms.
Officers also seized the suspect’s passport, ferry ticket, two mobile phones, cash in Malaysian ringgit, and the suitcase used to transport the suspected drugs.
During preliminary questioning, DAI allegedly told investigators that he had obtained the drugs from a man identified by the initial S while in Malaysia. The shipment was intended to be transported by sea to Medan, where it would be handed over to another man identified by the initial A.
According to the police, the suspect claimed he had been promised Rp30 million (approximately 30 million rupiah) by A for successfully delivering the shipment to its destination.
The suspect and the seized evidence have been taken to the Tanjungbalai Police Narcotics Unit for further investigation. Police are continuing efforts to identify and apprehend the two men allegedly involved in arranging and receiving the shipment.
The suspect is being investigated under Article 114(2) in conjunction with Article 115(2) of Indonesia’s Law No. 35 of 2009 on Narcotics, as well as relevant provisions of Law No. 1 of 2023 on the Criminal Code, according to the police statement.
