Women as Couriers of Narcotics: A Reflection of Transnational Organized Crime in Indonesia (A Criminological and Gendered Perspective)

Abstract

This article examines the growing phenomenon of women being recruited and acting as couriers in transnational narcotics trafficking networks in Indonesia.The study argues that women's participation in this role is not an isolated criminal phenomenon, but rather a reflection or a "shadow" of Transnational Organized Crime (TOC) operations. The analysis highlights how drug syndicates exploit gender stereotypes that perceive women as less suspicious in the eyes of law enforcement, thereby increasing the chances of successful smuggling. The motives for women becoming couriers vary widely, including economic pressure, poverty, deception, and being victims of human trafficking. The article's central conclusion is that female couriers are often merely the "expendable pawns" or the tip of the spear in a much larger and more complex pyramid of criminal enterprise. The rising number of women couriers demonstrates the adaptability and sophistication of TOC syndicates in leveraging social vulnerabilities. Consequently, effective countermeasures require not only a strict law enforcement approach but also policies that address the root causes, such as economic empowerment, social protection, and enhanced international intelligence cooperation to dismantle the mastermind networks operating behind the scenes.