Editor’s Note
- North Sumatra Regional Police Foils Smuggling of 8kg of Methamphetamine Packed in Bika Ambon Bags
- The methamphetamine was to be transported to Muara Jambi by public transport.
- The suspect was arrested and evidence was seized.
- Police investigated and seized other storage facilities.
North Sumatra Regional Police Foils Smuggling of 8kg of Methamphetamine Packed in Bika Ambon Bags
North Sumatra Regional Police foiled an attempted smuggling of 8kg of methamphetamine packaged as Bika Ambon souvenirs. Two men from Medan, identified as ARM and ZH, were arrested.
This case came to light thanks to information received by the Drug Enforcement Bureau from the public around midnight on Thursday (February 12, 2026).
The information concerned a large shipment of methamphetamine being transported from Medan to Muara Jambi by land transport.
Methamphetamine transported to Muara Jambi by public transport
Following a report, the team conducted an investigation and initiated a pursuit. A public bus was eventually stopped on the Trans-Sumatra Highway in Rantau Prapat, Labuhanbatu.
After questioning one of the passengers, identified as ARM, officers found two kilograms of methamphetamine hidden in a stack of Bika Ambon souvenir wrappers in his bag.
The director of the Narcotics Investigation Department of the North Sumatra Regional Police, Chief Superintendent Andy Arisandi, S.H., S.I.K., M.H., explained that the arrest was the result of a swift response to a public report.
Suspect arrested and evidence seized
“It all started with a tip from the public in the middle of the night to our officers that a large shipment of methamphetamine was being transported by bus from Medan to Muara Jambi,” Chief Superintendent Andy said in Medan on Wednesday (February 18, 2026).
He added that the suspect bus was stopped and searched after a chase in Rantau Prapat.
“It is true that we arrested a man who had two kilograms of methamphetamine hidden in a souvenir package from Bika Ambon,” he said.
The initial interrogation of the suspect revealed that more methamphetamine was stored at the home of a friend of the suspect in Pancur Batu district, Deli Serdang region.
The team then conducted a follow-up investigation on Friday (February 13, 2026) and raided the house in question.
During the raid, officers arrested a man with the initials ZH, who posed as the homeowner and manager of the illegal goods.
Police are continuing their investigation and seizing other storage units.
During the search, six kilograms of methamphetamine were found in a wardrobe.
“We arrested two perpetrators and seized a total of eight kilograms of methamphetamine,” said Chief Commissioner Andy.
The two suspects and all the evidence are currently being held at the North Sumatra Regional Police Station pending further legal action. Both are facing prosecution under the Narcotics Act, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 10 years.
Superintendent Andy emphasized that his team will continue to strengthen surveillance of drug distribution channels, including by misleading officers using disguises such as local food packaging.***
