Police Reveal Drug Circulation Worth IDR 40.1 Billion In South Lampung In 3 Months

Illustration of the arrest of the alleged perpetrator of drug abuse cases. (Between-Shutterstock)

The South Lampung Resort Police (Polres) uncovered a case of smuggling and trafficking of methamphetamine, marijuana, and ecstasy pills with a nominal value of around Rp40.1 billion over the past three months.

South Lampung Police Chief AKBP Yusrindi Yusrin said during this period his party had secured evidence in the form of 39.2 kilograms of methamphetamine (kg), 94 kg of marijuana, and 1.050 ecstasy pills.

He revealed that the case was calculated from September to November 2023, with 19 suspects from 12 criminal cases.

According to him, the drug trafficking network revealed by South Lampung Police personnel is a national and international network.

"This is a network, there is a network that is indeed local, namely Java, Sumatra, West Nusa Tenggara, including a network of one abroad, namely from Malaysia," he said in Kalida, South Lampung, Wednesday, December 6, which was confiscated by Antara.

The police chief explained the modus operandi of the suspects, by hiding evidence of drugs in the vehicle.

"There are modes that go through private cars, buses, and package cars. There are many modes starting from being put on the dashboard, car doors, and many more," he said.

He said that many drug disclosure cases occurred in the area of the Bakauheni-Merak Ferry Port.

"Yes, if the mode is yes, we will secure almost all of this in the Seaport Interdiction area of Bakauheni Port," he said again.

He also said that his party continues to tighten supervision in the area of in and out of Bakauheni Port.

According to him, the port area, especially at Bakauheni Port, is one of the vulnerable points for smuggling prohibited goods because the area is a place for entry and exit and gate for Sumatra Island.

Yusrindi said that for the drug disclosure case, the suspects were charged with Article 114 paragraph 2 in conjunction with Article 112 paragraph 2 in conjunction with Article 132 paragraph 2 of Law No. 35 of 2009 concerning Narcotics, with a minimum penalty of five years, a maximum of 20 years or life and the death penalty.