The National Narcotics Agency (BNN), in collaboration with the Directorate General of Customs, has arrested 285 individuals involved in drug smuggling operations between April and June 2025 and concurrently confiscated narcotics and assets worth Rp26.1 billion (US$1.6 million) across 172 cases.
The cases are linked to four major trafficking networks − domestic, inter-island, inter-provincial − and three international syndicates operating between Malaysia and Indonesia.
"Of the 285 suspects, 29 are women, the majority of whom are housewives," BNN Chief Marthinus Hukom told a press conference in Jakarta on Monday, June 23, 2025.
Among the seized narcotics were 308.6 kg of methamphetamine, 372.3 kg of marijuana, 6,640 ecstasy pills (equivalent to 2.66 kg), 179.42 grams of THC, 104.04 grams of hashish, and 41.49 grams of amphetamine.
"These women acted as couriers across provinces and islands, concealing narcotics in intimate areas to avoid detection by authorities," Marthinus said.
Authorities charged the suspects under multiple articles of Indonesia’s Narcotics Law (Law No. 35 of 2009), including Article 114(1), Article 112(1), Article 111(1) in conjunction with Article 132(1), as well as higher-level charges under Articles 114(2), 113(2), and 112(2), also in conjunction with Article 132(1). These charges carry a maximum death penalty.
The crackdown signals the government’s continued effort to dismantle both domestic and international drug trafficking networks, while also highlighting the evolving tactics used by syndicates, including the recruitment of women as drug mules.
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