Target Illegal Miras Circulation, NTT Police Destroy Thousands of Liter of Sopi

Police officers destroy a number of alcoholic beverages in Kupang. ANTARA/Ho-Humas Polda NTT

KUPANG - The East Nusa Tenggara Regional Police (Polda NTT) has destroyed 6,381 liters of illegal alcoholic beverages as a result of enforcement during routine operations that have been increased since 2022 to early 2026.

The Acting Director of Narcotics Investigation of the NTT Regional Police, Kombes Pol Sajimin, said that this activity was part of a series of Routine Police Activities (KRYD) as a response to public concern about security and order disruptions triggered by the circulation of illegal alcoholic beverages.

"This operation is a concrete response to public concerns about the increasing disruption of security and order that is often triggered by the uncontrolled consumption of illegal alcoholic beverages," said Sajimin, quoted by Antara, Wednesday, April 22.

The destruction was carried out by the NTT Regional Police Narcotics Investigation Directorate together with related agencies at the Alak Final Disposal Site (TPA), Kupang City.

The evidence that was destroyed was dominated by traditional drinks of the sopi type and the like, amounting to 6,354.5 liters.

The drink was packaged in 141 30-liter jerrycans, two 100-liter drums, and hundreds of other packages.

In addition, the police also destroyed 16.5 liters of alcoholic beverages with the brand of an illegal manufacturer.

The NTT Police assessed that the circulation of illegal alcoholic beverages was often a trigger for various community diseases, ranging from traffic accidents, domestic violence, to horizontal conflicts in the community.

Head of Public Relations of the NTT Regional Police, Kombes Pol Henry Novika Chandra, emphasized that the destruction was not merely law enforcement, but a form of moral responsibility of the National Police in maintaining the quality of people's lives.

The destruction of thousands of liters of illegal alcoholic beverages is part of our commitment to protect the public from the negative effects of uncontrolled alcohol consumption.

"This is not only about law enforcement, but also an effort to save the younger generation from the threat of social damage," he said.

He added that this step is in line with the NTT Governor Regulation Number 44 of 2019 concerning the Purification and Management of NTT Special Alcoholic Beverages.

According to him, the regulation aims to maintain cultural values while ensuring that the products in circulation meet health and legality standards.

"We respect the local wisdom in NTT, including traditional drinks. However, what we are dealing with is illegal products that do not meet health standards and circulate outside the regulated mechanism," he said.