Indonesian authorities seize 3.37 tons of Thai cannabis buds

Indonesian authorities have uncovered a major international drug smuggling operation, seizing 3.37 tons of cannabis buds originating from Thailand. The illicit shipment arrived through official import channels and was discovered at a warehouse in the Prambanan Bizland complex in Gresik, East Java.

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Based on intelligence information, these cannabis buds were planned to be used as raw material for producing tetrahydrocannabinol or THC extract, which will then be utilized as filling for e-cigarette cartridges.

The National Narcotics Agency (BNN), in collaboration with the Directorate General of Customs and Excise and the East Java Regional Police, conducted a joint operation from June 29 to July 1, 2026. This marks the first significant bust in Indonesia involving the smuggling of Thai cannabis buds via legitimate import routes, concealed among legitimate goods like suitcases and latex products.

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The joint team successfully secured 12 suspects who are currently undergoing further investigation, and from this operation, the state managed to seize a very large amount of evidence, namely 3.37 tons or 3,371,400 grams of gross narcotics from four containers.

BNN chief Komjen Suyudi Ario Seto stated that the seized cannabis was intended for use as raw material to produce tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) extract, which would then be used in e-cigarette cartridges. The operation involved intercepting four shipping containers, leading to the arrest of 12 suspects who are currently under further investigation.

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From this seizure, we have saved the potential misuse of drugs by 10,114,200 young people of the nation's generation, while also preventing potential economic losses of up to Rp4,585,104,000,000.

Authorities estimate that this seizure has prevented the potential misuse of drugs by over 10 million young Indonesians and averted significant economic losses. Director General of Customs and Excise, Jaka Budi Utama, explained that the anomaly was first detected by officers during an X-ray examination at Tanjung Priok Port, leading to a coordinated controlled delivery to the Gresik warehouse.

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This was revealed when an anomaly occurred at Tanjung Priok Port during a cargo inspection. An anomaly was found, there were suspicious goods or commodities.