He made the statement while announcing the seizure of 561 kilograms of drugs in June–July 2025. He said that the drugs were seized in connection with 84 cases, including an attempt to smuggle narcotics from Brazil to Bali on July 13, 2025.
Police have named 136 suspects — 129 from Indonesia and 7 from Malaysia, Brazil, and South Africa — in the cases.
“This is a form of warning for all people, also to raise awareness of the threat of Latin American cartels, which pushes for expansion of the drug market to Indonesia,” he said here on Wednesday.
The trend of cocaine smuggling has intensified over time. Law enforcement officials have busted drug rackets in some areas, he noted.
The drugs are being smuggled via delivery services or by foreign nationals acting as couriers.
“According to intensity of cocaine smuggling case, it indicates that a Latin American cartel network that produces cocaine using domestic connection, in order to expand cocaine market share in Indonesia, particularly in tourism spots,” he informed.
The expansion of Latin American cartels into Indonesia is a fallout of the United States’ strict anti-narcotics policy, under which cartels have been designated as foreign terrorist organizations that must be pursued and eliminated.
Hukom stressed that on account of the cocaine smuggling cases, those in charge of goods and passenger crossings must tighten security and adapt so they can recognize the modus operandi used by international drug syndicates.
He said that 10 million foreign nationals come to Indonesia annually. They carry their values, and any unsavoury intentions, wherever they go. Hence, their movements must be strictly monitored to reduce crime.
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Translator: Fianda Sjofjan Rassat, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Primayanti
Copyright © ANTARA 2025
