A Couple From Palembang Arrested While Bringing 31 Kg Of Crystal Methamphetamine From Rupat

Illustration of methamphetamine (ANTARA)

The Riau Police's Narcotics Directorate (Ditresnarkoba) team together with the Indonesian Navy arrested lovers with the initials DE (32) and LH (33) for allegedly smuggling 31.82 kilograms of methamphetamine into Indonesia via Rupat Island, Bengkalis Regency.

Riau Police Narcotics Investigation Director Kombes Putu Yudha Prawira said the couple from Palembang, South Sumatra were arrested after taking methamphetamine from the RORO Dumai-Rupat ferry port.

There was a chase because the perpetrator tried to escape. They were finally arrested after the car they were driving hit a resident's car. We managed to secure the evidence from the two perpetrators as much as 31.82 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine," said Putu, Tuesday, October 14.

The operation to thwart the smuggling of methamphetamine was carried out by the Riau Police in collaboration with the Indonesian Navy from Dumai Marine Base (Lanal), Sunday (12/10/2025). The perpetrator is suspected of being part of an international drug network.

The lovebirds brought 31 large packs of crystal methamphetamine packaged in Chinese plastic. These illicit goods were sent from a dealer from a neighboring country with a disconnected system.

Putu Yudha said the two arrested perpetrators acted as couriers who picked up drugs entering through RORO port on Rupat Island. The perpetrators hid the drugs in the car door and in the empty tire room. The illicit goods are planned to be circulated in South Sumatra.

"This arrest originated from public information regarding the plan to send methamphetamine from the Rupat area, Bengkalis, to Palembang," he said.

The joint team then stalked at the port of RORO Dumai and found a white Toyota Avanza with police number BN 1747 RQ suspected of carrying the illicit goods. When ordered to stop, the driver tried to escape until the car was finally caught in a road divider in the port area.

From the results of the examination, both of them were desperate to pick up the drugs to Dumai because they were promised a salary of Rp. 5 million per kilogram and had received Rp. 15 million which was sent to LH's account.

"If it is successfully circulated, the methamphetamine is worth more than IDR 31.8 billion. This disclosure can save as many as 159,135 people from the dangers of drugs," he concluded.

The lovers are currently being held at the Riau Police Headquarters and charged with Article 114 paragraph (2) in conjunction with Article 112 paragraph (2) of Law Number 35 of 2009 concerning Narcotics.