‘I thought he was offering me sweets – they were drugs’: Singaporean at Indonesian nightclub

Singapore authorities are increasing vigilance against drug activities in neighboring Batam, Indonesia, following reports of drug peddling targeting tourists and a recent joint anti-drug operation. The Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) participated in a raid in Batam in January 2026, arresting five Indonesians and highlighting the ongoing threat of cross-border drug offenses.

Batam Nightclubs as Drug Hotspots

A Singaporean man, identified as Mr Mohamed, recounted an incident in July 2025 where he was offered Ecstasy pills, embossed with Nike and Superman logos, by a man in a Batam nightclub. He was also presented with crystal methamphetamine, known as “Batu,” but declined both offers. Mr Mohamed, 53, continues to visit Batam for golf but now chooses nightclubs recommended by tournament organizers.

The January 18, 2026, operation, conducted with Indonesian counterparts from the National Narcotics Board (BNN) and other agencies, screened 100 people, including four Singaporeans. While Singaporeans can face drug tests upon returning home, CNB’s direct participation in raids abroad is less common.

Extraterritorial Drug Laws

Lawyer S. Balamurugan explained that Singapore’s Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA) applies to citizens and permanent residents even when committing drug offenses overseas. The CNB can participate in raids with the permission of the host country and can check on Singaporean and permanent resident status with assistance from local authorities, though they likely cannot make arrests independently.

Assistant Commissioner Aaron Tang, CNB’s deputy director of operations, warned that attempting to evade detection by consuming drugs overseas will not protect abusers from prosecution. “There is no refuge for you if you continue to commit drug offences, especially if you disrespect the laws of other countries as well,” he said.

Firsthand Accounts of Drug Activity

Singapore permanent resident T. Vijay urged continued targeted raids in Batam, recalling witnessing marijuana smoking and drug use during a 2024 visit. He described seeing patrons using Ecstasy, and shockingly, reported that waiters and waitresses were actively selling drugs to customers.

Approximately 100,000 tourists, primarily from Singapore and Malaysia, visit Batam monthly, according to the island’s tourism head, Mr Ardiwinata. However, not all travel for shopping or golf.

Regional Drug Trafficking Concerns

A 2019 BNN survey estimated that 16,000 workers on Batam, which has a population of around 1.2 million, were involved in the drug trade. Recent seizures highlight the scale of the problem: 106kg of crystal meth were seized off Batam in July 2024 from a Singapore-flagged vessel, and nearly two tonnes were seized in nearby waters in May 2025.

A United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime report in 2025 showed a 24 percent increase in drug seizures across East and Southeast Asia, driven by record methamphetamine production in Myanmar. Most methamphetamine entering Indonesia is trafficked by sea from Malaysia.

Calls for Enhanced Safety Measures

Drug and family counsellor Rica Irma Dhiyanti suggested that public spaces in Batam, such as clubs and hotels, should prioritize safety with trained security, CCTV surveillance, and clear zero-tolerance policies. She also emphasized the importance of encouraging reporting of drug peddling and ensuring staff can identify and assist individuals experiencing drug-related issues.

“Public spaces should be made safe for tourists because most times they do not understand the new social environment… Drugs ruin individuals, families and the impression of a community. Clamping down on drugs is the collective responsibility of individuals, entertainment outlets and the country itself,” Mrs Rica stated.

Singapore has a history of addressing drug offenses involving Batam, with eight Singaporeans arrested in 1997 after returning from the island having taken Ecstasy, and two arrested on the island itself in 1998 for drug consumption. The MDA was amended in 1998 to address a loophole that led to a 26 percent increase in positive drug tests at border checkpoints.

Penalties for drug offenses, including cannabis, can include imprisonment of up to 10 years and a fine of up to $20,000. In 2016, 81 Singaporeans or permanent residents were arrested for consuming drugs overseas, while 41 were arrested at checkpoints in Singapore between January and August 2022. Tragic incidents, such as the death of a Singaporean at a Jakarta music festival in 2014 and hospitalizations at a Kuala Lumpur festival the same month, underscore the dangers of drug use abroad.

In February 2024, CNB and BNN formalized a strategic partnership to combat illicit drugs in Southeast Asia, prompted by a rise in drug-related crimes in the Riau Islands province.