“The three female passengers--Malaysian nationals with the initials WLSN, TKL, and HBN--were caught attempting to bring illegal substances into Indonesia by hiding them among their belongings and inside their shoes,” Customs said in a statement to RRI on Wednesday, August 5, 2026.

The incident occurred at Terminal 2F of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport on Monday, August 3, 2026, after the women arrived from Kinabalu, Malaysia. Suspicion from Behavior Detection Officers (BDO) led to a deeper inspection.

“Drugs were concealed in toiletry bags, wallets, medicine packets, jacket pockets, and even inside the shoes they were wearing,” the statement added.

Evidence seized included suspected cocaine (0.5 grams and 0.3 grams of powder, plus 2 grams more), MDMA pills (4.2 grams and 2.4 grams), ketamine powder (1.8 grams), ketamine-laced tobacco (16.9 grams), and a cartridge believed to contain ketamine. Samples have been tested to confirm the substances.

Customs coordinated with the Soekarno-Hatta Airport Police Narcotics Unit to pursue legal proceedings against the suspects.

This case comes shortly after Customs uncovered a major smuggling attempt involving 26 kilograms of ecstasy allegedly carried by MSO, a Malaysian pilot working for an international airline.

“Information indicates the suspect is a male pilot from an international airline and a Malaysian national,” Customs Director General Djaka Budhi Utama said on Thursday, July 30, 2026.

The Malaysian Embassy in Jakarta responded with a written statement, saying it respects Indonesia’s legal process. “The Embassy confirms it has received official notification of the detention of a Malaysian national from Indonesia’s National Police Narcotics Directorate, related to the arrest at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport,” the statement read on Saturday, August 1, 2026. (Diffa Sephiawardhani)