Laboratory found in Pidie shophouse
The Aceh operation targeted five locations: one in Pidie regency and four others in Bireuen regency and Lhokseumawe. At a shophouse in Pidie's East Mutiara District, officers discovered a laboratory where liquid methamphetamine oil was processed into crystals, according to the Indonesian National Police.
Officers confiscated 20 drums of liquid methamphetamine oil and about 500 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine. Indonesian police called it the country's largest recorded seizure from a clandestine drug laboratory.
Two of those arrested in Aceh were Chinese nationals identified only as LJ and XM. They allegedly worked as chemists, or drug cooks, converting the liquid into crystal methamphetamine. ANTARA reported that Indonesian suspects had picked them up in Malaysia and brought them to Aceh.
The nine Indonesian suspects allegedly had roles that included assisting the cooks, acting as intermediaries and transporting drugs.
Intelligence from China prompted the raids
The investigation began in China in October 2025, according to Lan Weihong, deputy secretary-general of China's National Narcotics Control Commission (NNCC). Investigators had uncovered indications that a criminal group was moving liquid narcotics through Myanmar, Thailand and Laos for shipment to Indonesia.
"After a year of intensive investigation, we found that the group had repeatedly smuggled liquid narcotics from Myanmar, Thailand and Laos to Indonesia. Seven suspects have been arrested in China in relation to the case," Lan said on Wednesday, as quoted by Kompas.com.
The NNCC passed intelligence to Indonesia's National Narcotics Agency (BNN) in September, and the countries agreed to work together against the network. National Police chief Gen. Suyudi Ario Seto said that information led to the Oct. 21 raids.
Malaysia also supported the crackdown. According to ANTARA and the Indonesian National Police, the Royal Malaysia Police's narcotics control division assisted the effort alongside the NNCC, BNN and Indonesia's National Police.
Investigators examine possible wider links
Indonesian authorities are examining whether the Aceh laboratory had connections to drug syndicates in China, Malaysia and Indonesia, according to the Associated Press, as cited by The Diplomat. The inquiry also covers possible links to criminal groups in the Golden Triangle, the border region shared by Myanmar, Thailand and Laos.
Suyudi said Indonesia would expand cooperation with international law enforcement agencies to dismantle transnational trafficking networks. That effort would include pursuing the people who finance and coordinate their operations.
Separate tanker seizure preceded Aceh operation
A day before the Aceh raids, Indonesian police and customs officers carried out a separate operation off Sumatra. They intercepted the tanker MT Global 168 on Oct. 20 and seized 58 sacks containing 1.16 metric tons of ketamine hydrochloride, The Diplomat reported, citing officials.
Officials valued that shipment at about Rp 3.48 trillion ($210 million). The tanker sailed under a Mongolian flag and belonged to a Malaysia-based company.
The Diplomat also cited U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime figures showing record methamphetamine seizures of 349 tons in East and Southeast Asia in 2025, up 48 percent from 236 tons in 2024. Ketamine seizures reached 52.5 tons, an increase of 185 percent over 2024.
