Indonesia’s BNN seized about 3.37 tonnes of cannabis buds in Gresik in July 2026, in a case subsequently sent to court.[1][2][3][4][5][6]

The seizure

Indonesia’s National Narcotics Agency, with Customs and the East Java Regional Police, dismantled an international network smuggling cannabis buds from Thailand and seized 3.37 tonnes in simultaneous enforcement across Jakarta, Banten, West Java and East Java.[3][4] The case was announced at the Prambanan Bizland warehouse complex in Gresik on 2 July 2026, after operations that began with intelligence on a container shipment from Tanjung Priok port bound for a Gresik warehouse.[3][4]

The concealment

Officers secured four containers holding drugs hidden two ways: inside 500 suitcases and among cargo labelled as latex products, amounting to 3,371,400 grams gross.[3][4][5][6] Agency head Suyudi Ariyo Seto said it was Indonesia’s first seizure of cannabis buds smuggled through official international trade channels using containers, and that investigation had run through customs document analysis, network mapping and surveillance.[3][4] Twelve people suspected of involvement in the importation were arrested.[3][4][7]

The plan

The buds were to be processed into tetrahydrocannabinol extract as raw material for e-cigarette refill liquids.[3][4][5][6] Suyudi presented the operation as part of the president’s drug-eradication programme through inter-agency cooperation.[3]

The case files have been transferred to the Gresik District Court, which is now scheduling the first trial.[5][6] Prosecutors said the transfer went directly to the Gresik court through the e-Berpadu integrated electronic case-file system on 3 November 2026.[5][6] Those detained allegedly held different roles from drivers to other field actors, including a foreign national accused of controlling the smuggling network.[5][6] The buds were allegedly smuggled by an international network disguised as imported goods through official customs, sent from Thailand via Malaysia into Indonesia.[5][6]

Four suspects were transferred for trial, identified by initials as Chinese national WJ and Indonesians AR, BT and M.[6] The confirming prosecutor was Kasi Pidum Kejari Gresik Uwais Deffa I Qorni.[6]

The reading of the indictment due at Gresik District Court was postponed because one of the four defendants filed a pretrial challenge.[8] At the first hearing the panel’s chair Halim Ersin said the court could not begin the main examination of the case until the pretrial court ruled.[8] Ersin said the delay followed Supreme Court circular letter (SEMA) No. 3 of 2026, and that the defendants’ case files had been received.[8] Gresik district prosecutor Uwais Deffa I Qorni said his office received only four defendants and would present the completed files at the indictment hearing.[8] Klik Media Network reported that the hearing was adjourned for about two weeks.[9] Two Gresik outlets dated the appearance at Gresik District Court to Thursday 5 November 2026.[10]