Indonesia intensifies anti-drug raids across high-risk provinces

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian National Police has launched a nationwide, multi-agency crackdown targeting major drug trafficking hubs across Jakarta, Sumatra, Sulawesi, and Kalimantan to dismantle increasingly massive distribution networks.

"I want to clean Indonesia of drug trafficking, which is becoming increasingly massive. We must take measures on a larger scale," Police Chief Gen. Suyudi Ario Seto said in a statement released Tuesday.

Since taking office on Oct. 1 under his "Police with the People" mandate, Seto has coordinated joint operations alongside the National Narcotics Agency (BNN), the military, and local governments to isolate high-risk zones.

"Combating drugs cannot be done unilaterally. Cooperation among all parties is required to prevent drug trafficking and narrow the operating space of drug traffickers," Seto emphasized.

Initial sweeps launched earlier this month yielded dozens of arrests across key regions.

Raids in Cengkareng and Palmerah in West Jakarta on Oct. 9 resulted in 24 detentions alongside the seizure of illicit substances and drug paraphernalia.

Meanwhile, officers arrested 36 suspects in North Sumatra, confiscating 102 grams of crystal methamphetamine, and detained 68 people at a Riau nightclub, where 63 tested positive for narcotics.

Simultaneous raids spanned Palembang, Palu, Palangka Raya, and Makassar, where authorities rounded up 104 individuals, including three suspected dealers.

Seto clarified that law enforcement distinguishes victims from traffickers, directing qualifying users toward rehabilitation while subjecting dealers to full prosecution.

He pledged sustained prevention, law enforcement, and public outreach to eradicate distribution rings nationwide.

Translator: N.P. Rahmani, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
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