Indonesian Navy destroys Rp34.9 billion in narcotic vapes

The Indonesian Navy, in coordination with local law enforcement, destroyed 4,364 narcotic-laced vape cartridges at the Lampung Naval Base Command Headquarters. The seized items are valued at approximately Rp34.9 billion (US$1.94 million).

The seizure originated from an inspection of a passenger bus at Bakauheni Port on October 5, 2026, where the cartridges were found concealed behind boxes of cassava chips. Vice Admiral Edwin, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Navy, stated that the operation aims to prevent these items from re-entering circulation and estimated that the interception protected between 13,000 and 22,000 potential victims.

Authorities noted that drug syndicates are increasingly utilizing land and sea routes, specifically targeting Bakauheni Port as a strategic transit hub between Sumatra and Java. This action follows several other maritime interdictions by the Navy in 2026 involving methamphetamine, ecstasy, and ketamine.