Tangerang, The Indonesia Herald – In less than 24 hours, Soekarno-Hatta Customs and Soekarno-Hatta International Airport Aviation Security (Avsec) thwarted two attempts to smuggle gold for export through Terminal 3 at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. In the two operations conducted on August 10 and 11, 2026, officers seized a total of 23.793 kilograms of gold with an estimated market value of Rp63 billion.
The two cases involved different methods and demonstrate the increasing variety of tactics used to evade detection. In the first operation, the gold was concealed in various ways, including being inserted into the genital and anal areas, tucked into modified clothing, strapped to the body, and stored in carry-on bags. In the second operation, the gold was transported through the airport’s operational channels by enlisting the help of ground handling staff, who then handed it over to passengers in the international departure area.
Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa emphasized that Customs, as Indonesia’s border guardian, continues to enhance its capabilities and adapt to evolving smuggling methods.
“Customs, as Indonesia’s border guard, continues to enhance its capabilities and must always stay one step ahead in anticipating the ever-evolving methods of smuggling. By combining inspection technology, risk analysis, passenger data analysis, field surveillance, and collaboration with all airport stakeholders, we must continue to heighten our vigilance,” said the Finance Minister.
The first enforcement action began with a joint effort between Aviation Security (Avsec) and Customs officers, who discovered suspected gold being carried in a carry-on bag by a Chinese national at Terminal 3 Departures. Upon inspection, officers found cylindrical/egg-shaped gold inside the carry-on bag.
As the investigation continued, Avsec and Customs officers identified another passenger based on an anomaly detected by the body scanner. An inspection of that passenger revealed cylindrical gold hidden inside modified undergarments. Subsequently, the Customs Team conducted a Passenger Analysis Unit (PAU) review and found a suspected connection between these two passengers and other passengers on two flights bound for Hong Kong: CX798 and GA860. A total of five passengers suspected of being involved were subsequently detained for further investigation.
Through this series of inspections, officers discovered egg-shaped gold bars concealed using an “inserter” method in the genital and anal areas, as well as gold hidden inside modified underwear. In total, officials detained seven passengers with 41 gold bars weighing a combined 17.436 kilograms and with an estimated market value of Rp46 billion. All the gold seized tested at 99.99 percent Au, or 24 karats, based on testing using an XRF mineral detector.
Based on the findings of the case review, the seven passengers were found to have committed the criminal offense of smuggling in the context of exports, as defined in Article 102A(a) of Law No. 17 of 2006 amending Law No. 10 of 1995 on Customs.
Less than 24 hours later, officials once again thwarted an attempt to smuggle gold. A ground handling staff member was found carrying gold through the employee-only access route or loading dock to hand it over to a passenger bound for Dubai on flight EK357. Upon inspection, seven cast gold bars weighing 6.357 kilograms and with an estimated market value of Rp17 billion were discovered, stored in a backpack and carry-on luggage without the required customs documentation.
The Minister of Finance emphasized that customs oversight cannot rely solely on physical inspections but must integrate technology, risk analysis, data utilization, field monitoring, and interagency collaboration.
“Every finding must be thoroughly investigated—not just identifying who is carrying the goods, but also determining where the goods came from, to whom they are intended, and who else is involved. Moving forward, oversight of international cargo and passenger traffic will continue to be strengthened, particularly regarding high-value commodities that require compliance with customs regulations and related rules,” the Minister of Finance stated firmly (13/8).
In total, from these two enforcement actions, Customs seized 23,793 kilograms of gold with an estimated market value of Rp63 billion. To further investigate the cases and trace the origin of the gold, Soekarno-Hatta Customs is collaborating with the Indonesian National Police’s Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim) and the Directorate General of Law Enforcement (Gakkum) of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources.
The government reminds the public that the transport of gold abroad must comply with applicable customs and export regulations. Regulations governing passengers’ personal belongings are set forth, among other things, in Minister of Finance Regulation (PMK) No. 203/PMK.04/2017, as amended by PMK No. 34 of 2025. In addition, Minister of Finance Regulation No. 80 of 2025, which regulates certain types of gold exports subject to export duties, has been in effect since December 23, 2025.
Members of the public intending to take gold abroad are urged to notify Customs officials, ensure compliance with export duty obligations, and adhere to all prohibitions and restrictions. The government continues to strengthen oversight while providing education to ensure that export activities and the transport of goods abroad are conducted legally, transparently, and in accordance with regulations.