Chinese national arrested for drug smuggling at Soekarno-Hatta airport

Indonesian authorities arrested a Chinese national attempting to smuggle nearly 2 kilograms of MDMA into the country, officials announced Friday. The arrest is part of increased scrutiny during the 2026 Eid al-Fitr holiday period.

MDMA Smuggling Operation Uncovered

The Soekarno-Hatta Customs and Excise Main Service Office C in Tangerang, Banten, apprehended CJ, 39, a Chinese national, for possessing 1,915 grams of Class I narcotic MDMA. The narcotics were concealed within a suitcase and mixed with cocaine in powder form, with additional narcotics found in vape pods.

“This step reflects continuous risk analysis and cross-agency collaboration carried out during the 2026 Eid al-Fitr holiday period,” said Hengky Tomuan Parlindungan Aritonang, Head of Soekarno-Hatta Customs and Excise, during a press conference.

CJ was arrested upon arrival at Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK) on a flight from Techo International Airport, Cambodia (KTI) on Friday evening, March 20. Authorities suspect he was acting as a narcotics courier.

Etomidate Found in Misdeclared Package

Further investigation, in coordination with the Soekarno-Hatta Airport Police Narcotics Unit, led to the discovery of eight vape pods containing Class II narcotic etomidate liquid. The package, falsely declared as a toy, was destined for Kemayoran, Central Jakarta.

JS, a 33-year-old Indonesian male, was arrested as the intended recipient of the package. “We collaborated with the Police Narcotics Unit to uncover this case and successfully arrested one individual,” Aritonang stated.

Both CJ and JS are currently detained while authorities continue their investigation into the MDMA and etomidate. Senior Commissioner Whisnu Wardana, Soekarno-Hatta Airport Police Chief, stated that investigators are working to determine if the MDMA will be used as a raw material or for other purposes.

Authorities are also searching for another Chinese national, HS, suspected of orchestrating the smuggling operation.

All suspects face charges under Law No. 35 of 2009 on Narcotics, which carries a potential penalty of death or life imprisonment.