Border Cooperation Foils Attempt to Smuggle Cannabis Between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea

A joint patrol on the Indonesia-Papua New Guinea border stopped an alleged cannabis distribution attempt in Sesnuk District, Boven Digoel, South Papua, on Aug. 30, 2026. Merauke Customs and the 403/Wirasada Pratistan Static RI-PNG Border Security Task Force seized 251.8 grams gross of the drug.

The operation began on an unofficial border route. Officers detained two people who had crossed illegally, along with a motorcycle and a package suspected to contain cannabis. The package had been hidden inside a jacket pocket, according to Isa Ramadhan, head of the Merauke Customs office.

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During the patrol, the joint team detained two illegal border crossers, one motorcycle and a package suspected to contain cannabis. They hid the package inside a jacket pocket.

Testing with a Narcotics Identification Kit confirmed that the substance was Category I cannabis. The joint team then handed the suspects and the evidence to Boven Digoel police for further legal proceedings.

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We urge the public not to misuse narcotics, because they can endanger health, damage the future of the younger generation, and disrupt public security and order.

“We urge the public not to misuse narcotics, because they can endanger health, damage the future of the younger generation, and disrupt public security and order,” Isa said. He also encouraged residents to report suspected illegal activity to Customs or other relevant authorities.

“We will leave no room for this,” Isa said. “We will continue to strengthen cooperation to secure the border and protect the younger generation of South Papua from the threat of narcotics. Let us work together to safeguard national sovereignty.”

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We will leave no room for this. We will continue to strengthen cooperation to secure the border and protect the younger generation of South Papua from the threat of narcotics. Let us work together to safeguard national sovereignty.