Riau Police Narcotics Director Sr. Comr. Putu Yudha Prawira said Friday that investigators will also apply money laundering laws to trace and confiscate assets acquired through drug trafficking proceeds.
"Officers are still pursuing the person believed to be controlling the distribution network and are expanding the case to uncover other parties involved," Putu told reporters in Pekanbaru, the provincial capital.
The suspect, a 42-year-old courier identified only by the initials YY, was arrested Tuesday following a joint operation by the Riau Police Narcotics Directorate and the Kampar Police Narcotics Unit.
Acting on intelligence reports regarding a suspected drug storage facility on Air Dingin Street in Bukit Raya subdistrict, officers raided a rented house used as a warehouse and apprehended YY.
A search of the initial property yielded illegal drugs. Based on YY's statement, investigators then raided a second rented house used for additional storage.
Alongside the crystal meth and ecstasy, police confiscated 21 packages containing 535 grams of powdered ecstasy, 322 cartridges containing etomidate, and 729 Happy Five pills.
According to police, YY admitted to receiving, storing, and delivering the narcotics under the direct orders of his handler.
He had reportedly worked as a courier for over a year, using his earnings to purchase cars and motorcycles.
Investigations are ongoing as authorities attempt to dismantle the broader syndicate and map the financial flows connected to the operation.
Putu emphasized that applying anti-money laundering measures will allow police to seize illicit assets and enforce maximum legal penalties against those involved.
Translator: Bayu AA, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
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