Jayapura authorities seize over 21 kg of marijuana from PNG smuggling routes

Authorities in Jayapura, Indonesia, have intercepted multiple shipments of marijuana smuggled from Papua New Guinea (PNG) via maritime routes. Between August and October 2026, the Indonesian Navy's Kodaeral X Command seized approximately 21.085 kilograms of cannabis in three separate operations.

The first seizure occurred in the waters of Skouw Sae, where patrol teams intercepted a boat carrying seven suspected PNG nationals. The suspects discarded 14 kilograms of marijuana, concealed in rice sacks, into the sea before fleeing. A second operation in September at Jayapura Port led to the arrest of an individual identified as EM, who was found with 2.085 kilograms of cannabis intended for Biak.

In a separate recent incident, Papua Police's Water Police (Polair Polda Papua) arrested a courier identified as NK at Jayapura Port. NK was attempting to transport 4 kilograms of marijuana via the KM Sinabung vessel to Sorong. Investigations suggest the drugs entered Indonesia through unofficial border crossings from PNG. The courier was reportedly promised 5 million IDR for the delivery.