World · East Asia & Pacific · 3 hrs ago
Indonesia seizes 25.88 kg of gold in airport smuggling cases
Indonesia’s customs agency seized 25.88 kg of gold in suspected illegal export attempts during October 2026.
The gold, valued at Rp61.95 billion, was found at five international airports: Kertajati, Yogyakarta, Ngurah Rai, Soekarno-Hatta and Juanda.
At Soekarno-Hatta, officials say nine Indian and Chinese nationals were linked to three cases involving gold powder hidden in capsules.
Those three cases have moved to investigation, and the nine people have been named suspects in customs offenses.
Other seizures included gold bars in a Malaysian passenger’s bag at Kertajati and gold hidden on two Chinese passengers at Yogyakarta.
Officials also stopped attempts involving gold disguised as jewelry in Bali and gold powder at Juanda.
The seizures are part of Indonesia’s effort to prevent illegal exports of natural resources, following a separate September seizure of 29 kg of gold.
The Kertajati case is still being handled, while the gold seized in Bali has been designated state-controlled property.
Indonesia’s Directorate General of Customs and Excise seized 25.88 kilograms of gold in suspected illegal export cases at five international airports during October 2026.
The gold was valued at Rp61.95 billion, according to Customs.
The cases involved airports in Kertajati, Yogyakarta, Bali, Jakarta and Surabaya.
At Soekarno-Hatta Airport, officials seized 13.63 kilograms of gold in three cases and named nine people as suspects.
Customs said the enforcement was part of efforts to prevent and combat the smuggling of natural resources.
- Who
- Indonesia’s Directorate General of Customs and Excise seized the gold. People suspected of involvement included passengers from India, China and Malaysia.
- What
- Officials seized 25.88 kilograms of gold in suspected illegal export attempts. The gold was valued at Rp61.95 billion.
- When
- During October 2026, with the cases announced on October 26.
- Where
- Five international airports: Kertajati, Yogyakarta, I Gusti Ngurah Rai, Soekarno-Hatta and Juanda.
- Why
- Customs said the actions were part of efforts to prevent and combat the smuggling of natural resources.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Customs foiled illegal exports of 29 kilograms of gold valued at Rp73 billion through four international airports.
Customs seized 5.25 kilograms of gold at Kertajati Airport from a Malaysian passenger bound for Singapore.
Customs seized 4.26 kilograms of gold at Yogyakarta International Airport from two Chinese passengers bound for Singapore.
Customs foiled two suspected illegal gold export attempts at I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport, seizing a combined 1.58 kilograms.
Customs foiled three suspected illegal export attempts at Soekarno-Hatta Airport, seizing 13.63 kilograms of gold.
Customs announced the October seizures at a press conference in Jakarta.
- Total gold seized
- 25.88 kilograms
- Estimated value
- Rp61.95 billion
- Airports involved
- Kertajati, Yogyakarta, I Gusti Ngurah Rai, Soekarno-Hatta and Juanda
- Soekarno-Hatta seizure
- 13.63 kilograms in three cases
- Kertajati seizure
- 5.25 kilograms; 99.99% pure, or 24 karat
- Prior cases
- 29 kilograms seized in September 2026 at four international airports
3 sources
What people are saying
Bea Cukai is fully committed to closing every loophole for the flight of the nation's wealth in order to save the nation's economic sovereignty
During October, Customs successfully foiled illegal gold exports totaling 25 kilograms, precisely 25.88 kilograms, at five strategic national air gateways
There are many international flights across Indonesia, and that is a challenge for us. And the methods are varied.