Intercepted at Bakauheni in the Early Hours
The Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) has foiled an attempt to smuggle 4,364 liquid-vape cartridges suspected of containing narcotics at the Bakauheni ferry port in South Lampung. In a cunning modus operandi, the thousands of cartridges were neatly hidden inside three cardboard boxes of cassava chips.
The interception was carried out by a joint team in the early hours of Monday (5/10/2026) at around 2:50 a.m. Officers who grew suspicious of an intercity bus with plate number BK 7571 UA on the Medan-Tangerang route immediately searched its luggage compartment and found the contraband.
The operation was driven by the Lampung Naval Base joint team, the Fleet One Quick Response (F1QR) team, the Navy Intelligence Center's maritime intelligence task force, and the Bakauheni port's vital-object security team, acting on precise intelligence.
Hidden in Cassava-Chip Boxes
When officers inspected the bus luggage area, they found three boxes of cassava chips. But upon closer inspection, thousands of vape liquid cartridges of the Yakuza XL and Batman brands were hidden behind the snack packaging.
In detail, the first box held 1,590 purple Yakuza XL cartridges, the second 1,173 red Yakuza XL cartridges. The third box contained 797 black Batman cartridges, 210 purple Yakuza XL cartridges, and 594 red Yakuza XL cartridges.
The evidence was then secured for further examination, including tracing the shipment's origin, its distribution destination, and the parties allegedly involved in the network.
Initial Tests Positive, Lab Tests Pending
Initial laboratory testing (narco-tests) conducted together with the Lampung National Narcotics Agency (BNNP) and Lampung Customs confirmed all samples reacted positively with indications of cocaine. However, the Navy stressed that the type and content of all the evidence still needs to be verified through official laboratory examination.
The head of the Bandar Lampung Customs office explained that initial reagent tests indicated ketamine and cocaine content. Laboratory certainty is required to support the investigation and determine the legal steps under the applicable provisions.
All cartridges are currently secured at the Lampung Naval Base command while awaiting further examination and legal determination by the competent authorities.
Rp34.9 Billion and 21,820 Lives Saved
Navy Regional Command (Kodaeral) III Commander Rear Admiral Uki Prasetia announced the bust at a press conference at the Lampung Naval Base on Monday (12/10/2026). With the market price said to reach Rp8 million per unit, the seized evidence is estimated at Rp34.912 billion.
Uki stressed that the operation not only cut off a distribution chain of fantastic value but also saved up to 21,820 lives from narcotics and spared the state up to Rp18.65 billion in potential rehabilitation costs.
The bust is part of the Navy's joint efforts with relevant agencies to prevent narcotics smuggling and trafficking through sea transport routes and port areas. Inter-agency synergy is considered vital to tracing distribution routes and uncovering those responsible.
