BNN Saves Hundreds of Thousands of Lives with Coffee-Coated Opium to Interprovincial Marijuana

JAKARTA - The National Narcotics Agency (BNN) has dismantled an international and interprovincial narcotics distribution network by thwarting the circulation of 160 kilograms of methamphetamine and 200 kilograms of marijuana in two separate operations earlier this year.

Acting Deputy Head of the Indonesian BNN, Brigadier General Roy Hardi Siahaan, said that the seized methamphetamine was suspected to have come from an international network connected to the Golden Triangle syndicate.

"This is correlated with the international syndicate of the Golden Triangle network. The packaging used is a new packaging, resembling coffee with the words 'Guatemala Antigua'," said Roy at the BNN Office, Antara, Thursday, February 5.

Roy explained that the disclosure of methamphetamine began with the arrest of a courier with the initials M in Perlak, Aceh, who carried 100 kilograms of methamphetamine. From the development of the case, officers then arrested IB in Bireuen, Aceh.

The examination of IB led to another suspect with the initials H who was also in Bireuen. From the results of the search, officers found 60 kilograms of methamphetamine hidden by being buried in the ground.

From the disclosure of 160 kilograms of methamphetamine, BNN estimates that it has saved around 533,000 people from the potential for drug abuse with an economic value of Rp. 208 billion.

Meanwhile, in a separate operation in North Sumatra, the BNN thwarted the circulation of 200 kilograms of marijuana transported by truck from Aceh to Medan and escorted by a car unit.

Officers arrested three suspects, namely AS as the driver of the truck, as well as YH and DJS who played a role in escorting the shipment of marijuana.

"This network is an interprovincial network. Based on the examination, the marijuana is planned to be distributed to a number of regions, including Java Island," said Roy.

From the seizure of marijuana, BNN said it had saved the potential for drug abuse against around 600,000 people with an economic value of Rp1.5 billion.

The suspects are charged with Law Number 35 of 2009 concerning Narcotics in conjunction with Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code as amended by Law Number 1 of 2026, with a maximum penalty of life imprisonment or the death penalty.

Roy also appealed to the perpetrators of the narcotics network who are still listed as wanted to immediately surrender.

"We will not hesitate to take firm action. It is better to surrender than to be taken firm action by officers," he said.

BNN also appreciates the synergy of Customs, Police, TNI, and other related institutions in uncovering this case, as well as inviting the public to play an active role in reporting the circulation of narcotics in their respective environments.