Last Month, Maluku Police Seized 5 Tons of Miras in the Salawaku Operation

AMBON - The Maluku Regional Police (Polda) has managed to secure as much as five tons of traditional liquor of the sopi type during the implementation of the Salawaku 2026 Community Disease Operation (Pekat) which took place from January 26 to February 1, 2026.

"Operation Pekat Salawaku 2026 targets various community diseases, including the circulation of illegal liquor, gangsterism, prostitution, and other activities that have the potential to disrupt public security and order (kamtibmas)," said Head of Public Relations of the Maluku Police, Kombes Pol Rositah Umasugi, quoted by Antara Ambon, Monday, February 2.

From the results of the operation, the most prominent target is the circulation of traditional liquor of the sopi type. The total evidence that was successfully secured by the Maluku Police together with all the police units reached 5,506.9 liters or the equivalent of 5 tons.

He detailed the evidence of sopi that was secured, including the Maluku Regional Police Narcotics Investigation Directorate of 950 liters, the Ambon Island and Lease Islands Police of 1,748 liters, the Central Maluku Police of 92 liters, the Tual Police of 320 liters, the West Seram Police of 795 liters, the East Seram Police of 36 liters, the Buru Island Police of 303 liters, the Aru Islands Police of 592 liters, the Tanimbar Islands Police of 103.8 liters, the South Maluku Police of 105 liters, the South Buru Police of 60 liters, and the East Maluku Police of 210 liters.

In addition to sopi, officers also secured various other types of liquor, namely 3.1 liters of red wine, 36.48 liters of beer, and 54 liters of oplosan liquor.

"The 2026 Pekat Salawaku operation is focused on strategic locations such as ports and terminals, which are considered to be the main routes for the entry and exit of liquor both by sea and land transport," he said.

The Maluku Police hope that through this operation, public awareness of the negative impact of alcohol consumption will increase, especially because the misuse of alcohol is often a trigger for kamtibmas disorders.

In addition, the Maluku Police also reminded that the enactment of the new Criminal Code (KUHP) regulates sanctions for the consumption of alcoholic beverages in public places, in the form of a fine of up to Rp. 10 million.

The Maluku Police appealed to the public to stay away from alcoholic beverages, especially before the holy month of Ramadan, in order to maintain security, order, and the sanctity of worship in the Maluku region.