“Our investigation shows that the drug networks operating in the Riau Islands originate from Malaysia,” said Head of the Riau Islands Police Narcotics Investigation Unit Senior Commissioner Anggoro Wicaksono on Monday in Batam.
He explained that the networks involve couriers, traffickers, and local distributors.
“We’re fully committed to exposing these networks. Drug users will be assessed and referred for rehabilitation in coordination with the National Narcotics Agency. However, traffickers and couriers will face strict legal action,” Anggoro stated.
Drug-related cases have surged this year. Between January and September 2025, police handled 216 cases involving 298 suspects—nearly double the 118 cases initially projected for the entire year.
Methamphetamine remains the most frequently seized drug in the region.
During that period, police confiscated 127.6 kilograms of methamphetamine, 2.6 kilograms of dried marijuana, 73,420 ecstasy pills, 556 grams of ecstasy powder, 5,726 grams of synthetic cannabinoid MDMB-4en-PINACA, and 1,000 grams of heroin.
Other seized substances included 1,254 happy five pills, 11 synthetic gorilla cigarettes, 3.2 kilograms of ketamine, 405 grams of “happy water,” and 4,693 units of etomidate, a medical sedative.
“Meth remains the dominant drug in circulation, but we’re also seeing a rise in other substances, including vape-based narcotics, which are becoming increasingly popular,” Anggoro noted.
He added that his team continues to coordinate with national agencies to respond to evolving trafficking methods and emerging drug trends.
Investigations into the networks are ongoing and will proceed in accordance with legal procedures.
“In essence, we—alongside local police, the National Narcotics Agency, the military, Granat, and Customs—are committed to preventing and enforcing laws against illegal drug trafficking,” he said.
Located near Malaysia and Singapore, the Riau Islands have long served as a strategic transit point in regional smuggling routes.
Despite Indonesia’s strict drug laws, which include life imprisonment or the death penalty for trafficking, the country remains vulnerable to both domestic and international drug networks.
Indonesia’s drug market is valued at an estimated $4.3 billion, with 3.4 million users nationwide, according to the National Narcotics Agency.
On August 3, a 21-year-old Ukrainian woman, Kateryna Vakarova, was arrested in Bali for allegedly smuggling nearly two kilograms of synthetic drugs. She was stopped by customs officers at Ngurah Rai International Airport after arriving from Poland.
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Translator: Laily R, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
Copyright © ANTARA 2025
