Indonesia intercepts nearly 3 kg of gold smuggled to Malaysia

A joint team of Banda Aceh Customs and Excise, Angkasa Pura, police and immigration officers arrested a Chinese national identified only as GP at Sultan Iskandar Muda International Airport on 1 July. GP was a passenger on a commercial flight bound for Malaysia and was found carrying two gold bars totalling 2.989 kg, concealed in a small bag. The gold, valued at approximately Rp7.2‑7.25 billion (about US$389,000), was being smuggled to avoid export duties.

The operation is the second gold‑smuggling attempt uncovered at the Aceh airport, following a previous seizure of 527 g of gold. Authorities are investigating the source of the gold, including whether it came from legal or illegal mining. Customs officials emphasized the seizure demonstrates their commitment to protecting the national economy and pledged to tighten surveillance of high‑value commodity exports.