Pakistani National Arrested in Jakarta for Smuggling 577 Grams of Meth Hidden in Snack Cans
A Pakistani tourist was arrested in North Jakarta for smuggling 577 grams of meth hidden in snack cans after swallowing drug capsules. Police suspect the drugs were intended for local distribution.
Jakarta, En Indonesiaupdates - A foreign national from Pakistan, identified by the initials MAI (41), was arrested by officers from the Jakarta Metro Police Narcotics Directorate for attempting to smuggle 577 grams of crystal methamphetamine into Indonesia using an unusual method—hiding the drugs inside two cans of potato chips.
The arrest took place on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, in the parking lot on Jalan Damar, East Pademangan, North Jakarta. According to AKP Abdul Muchzin, Head of Unit 3 at the Narcotics Sub-Directorate, the arrest followed a tip-off about a possible drug transaction in the area.
“During the search, officers found two brown snack cans bearing the Mister Potato logo. Inside were 50 large capsules filled with crystal meth,” Muchzin said in a written statement on Wednesday (July 30).
Swallowed, Smuggled, and Excreted
Further investigation revealed that MAI had entered Indonesia on a tourist visa. Prior to his arrival, he swallowed dozens of meth-filled capsules as part of an inserter smuggling method. Once in Jakarta, he excreted the capsules through his digestive tract and stored them in snack cans for local distribution.
“This is a common technique used by international narcotics syndicates,” Muchzin explained, noting that MAI’s intention was to circulate the drugs in Jakarta.
MAI is currently detained at the Jakarta Metro Police Headquarters, and is facing charges under Law No. 35 of 2009 on Narcotics, which carries severe penalties for trafficking offenses.
