Medan, N Sumatra (ANTARA) - The Indonesian and Malaysian police have increased their communication efforts to investigate and prevent the entry of illicit drugs into North Sumatra, which involves international drug trafficking networks, a police officer stated here on Thursday.

On Monday, June 30, 2025, the North Sumatra police's anti-drug squad seized 190 kilograms of sabu-sabu (crystal methamphetamine) loaded onto a wooden boat in the middle of the sea off Tanjung Balai, Asahan District.

"We continue to maintain strong communication with our Malaysian counterpart because many drug packages are smuggled from Malaysia," the North Sumatra Police's Narcotics Unit Chief Sen. Coms. Jean Calvijn Simanjuntak stated.

In addition, the North Sumatra police are increasing cooperation with the military and other law enforcement agencies to combat international drug rings that use sea borders to smuggle drugs into the province, he remarked.

Regarding the 190-kilogram sabu-sabu case, Simanjuntak said the police continue further investigation, as several perpetrators involved in the drug smuggling operation remain at large.

However, he furnished no further details on the nature of the case or clarify whether any drug couriers were arrested in connection with the seizure of the crystal meth package on June 30.

Simanjuntak also noted that on June 4, the police thwarted an attempt by two drug traffickers to smuggle 10 kilograms of crystal meth from the Malaysian waters into Asahan, North Sumatra.

The suspects, only identified as AH and S, were arrested before reaching Malaysian waters to collect the drug package and deliver it to Tanjung Balai City, he stated.

Indonesia remains an attractive target for drug traffickers due to its large population and high number of users. The country's illicit drug trade is estimated to be worth around Rp66 trillion (approximately US$4.3 billion).

Consequently, drug abuse has become a serious and life-threatening problem for millions of Indonesians.

A survey by the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) and the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) estimates that 3.4 million people in Indonesia use drugs. The study found that roughly 180 out of every 10 thousand Indonesians aged 15 to 64 are affected by drug addiction.

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Translator: M.Sahbainy N, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Primayanti
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