Indonesia Arrests 12 in Major Cannabis Trafficking Case From Thailand
Indonesian authorities arrested 12 suspects and seized 3.37 tonnes of cannabis from Thailand intended for processing into vape products across major cities including Jakarta and Bali.
JAKARTA — 3 July 2026 Indonesian authorities have seized 3.37 tonnes of cannabis buds allegedly imported from Thailand and arrested 12 suspects, including foreigners, in a drug trafficking case linked to the production of cannabis-laced vape products.
Reuters reported that Indonesia's National Narcotics Agency announced the seizure this week following operations carried out in several Indonesian cities from 29 June to 1 July.
National Narcotics Agency chief Police General Suyudi Ario Seto said the cannabis buds were hidden inside suitcases and rubber boxes. The shipment originated from Thailand and was seized in East Java province.
Investigators found that the cannabis was allegedly intended for distribution in major Indonesian cities, including Jakarta and Bali, and would be used to produce vape products containing cannabis.
The agency said the network had been recently established and included foreign nationals among its members.
Indonesia has some of the world's strictest drug laws. One of the country's most high-profile drug cases involved the Bali Nine, a group arrested in 2005 while attempting to smuggle heroin out of Bali's international airport. Two Australian ringleaders in the case were executed in 2015, causing a diplomatic rift between Indonesia and Australia.
