inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. The Jakarta Metropolitan Regional Police have successfully uncovered a methamphetamine trafficking ring by an international network disguised in Chinese tea bags.
"The evidence is 11 kilograms of methamphetamine packaged in 11 Chinese tea bags," said the Director of Narcotics Investigation at the Jakarta Metropolitan Regional Police, Senior Superintendent Ahmad David, as reported by Antaranews, Friday (8/15/2025).
He stated that seven suspects were arrested in the illicit trafficking of 516 kilograms of methamphetamine.
He stated that the investigation began in July 2025 based on information from the public.
The methamphetamine evidence was found after police arrested three suspects, identified as SA, DE, and AW, at a rented house in the Grogol area, West Jakarta, on July 10, 2025.
Three other suspects, AD, DM, and MM, were arrested in two different locations, South Tangerang and South Jakarta, on July 31, 2025, at 5:00 PM WIB.
They were also found with 35 kg of methamphetamine packaged in 35 gold-colored Chinese tea bags, stashed in the compartment of a modified vehicle.
Meanwhile, a suspect with the initials Z was arrested in East Jakarta on Tuesday (August 12th) with one kilogram and 22 grams of methamphetamine hidden in a motorcycle seat.
"The suspects have been carrying out this activity for four months," he explained.
All of the methamphetamine originated from abroad, namely Iran and China. The suspects transported the illicit goods by transiting through Malaysian ports, then entering Sumatra.
From Sumatra, the drugs were transported overland using modified vehicles.
The perpetrators then placed the goods at a single point (drop point) so that meetings between sellers and recipients were not open, a practice known as the "patch system."
Meanwhile, regarding the alleged distribution of narcotics through online stores (e-commerce) and social media, the police have increased their monitoring.
The 516 kilograms of methamphetamine seized by the Jakarta Metropolitan Police is worth IDR 516 billion (approximately US$31.5 million).
All suspects are charged under Article 114 paragraph 2 and/or Article 112 paragraph 2 of Law Number 35 of 2009 concerning Narcotics, which carries a penalty of death, life imprisonment, and a maximum of 20 years in prison.
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