Women Are Threatened, Drug Networks Are Increasingly Intensive In Recruiting Housewives

Head of BNN Komjen Pol Martinus Hukom (left) and Minister of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection Arifah Fauzi at a press conference in Jakarta. (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Women play an important role in building a family foundation and creating a healthy and empowered future generation.

However, recently, they have become an easy target for drug syndicates who use economic and social vulnerability to make women, especially housewives, as narcotics couriers.

The Minister of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection (PPPA), Arifah Fauzi, expressed her concern over the increasing trend of women's involvement in drug networks.

He assessed that syndicates use the promise of large income to lure women to be involved in these illegal activities.

"We are very concerned because the mode of drug network is now targeting women and housewives as couriers. They are considered easier to escape the examination because of their social image," said Arifah as quoted by ANTARA.

He added that the active involvement of women in syndicate operations not only shows their vulnerability, but also threatens the stability of families and the future of children. When the role of mother as a moral guardian and primary caregiver of the family is disrupted by her involvement in criminal acts, the impact can be very damaging.

Data from the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) shows that during the period April to June 2025, 285 people were named suspects in various narcotics cases. Of these, 29 of them are women.

BNN also secured nearly 700 kilograms of drugs in the same period. What is worrying, according to the Head of BNN Komjen Pol Martinus Hukom, is that some female suspects use extreme methods of smuggling drugs, including hiding them in body organs, which indicate a high level of exploitation of them.

We are very concerned about this phenomenon. Women, especially housewives, are now being used by syndicates in ways that are very degrading and violate moral norms," said Martinus.

He emphasized that women must be protected from the snares of drug syndicates. Women are a moral foundation in the family. If they are caught in drugs, the impact will not only damage individuals, but also destroy children and the nation's future," he concluded.