Riau Police Thwarts International Drug Smuggling: 4 Perpetrators Arrested, Evidence Reaches 30 Kg

Riau Police escorted the perpetrators during the release of the case (DOK Polda Riau / VOI)

JAKARTA - The Riau Police together with the Meranti Islands Police have again recorded a major achievement in efforts to eradicate narcotics. The police managed to thwart the smuggling of international network drugs with evidence reaching tens of kilograms.

In a press conference at the Meranti Islands Police Headquarters, the authorities showed off the results of the disclosure, including 30,713.7 grams of crystal methamphetamine, 24,302.4 grams of Lamborghini brand 'Happy Water' liquid, and 1,034 packs of multi-brand liquid vape cartridges, such as Popeye, Pink, Green, and Purple, which contain narcotics.

Four perpetrators with the initials N (24), Y (19), J (20), and TS (35) were arrested in the operation. They have different roles in the network of cross-border drug smuggling suspected of operating from the Riau border sea route Malaysia.

Riau Deputy Police Chief Brigadier General Jossy Kusumo emphasized that this disclosure is clear evidence of the hard work and synergy between the police and various parties in eradicating drug trafficking in the Riau region.

"This is a firm message that there is no room for narcotics criminals in the Riau jurisdiction. We will take firm and complete action against anyone who tries to damage the future of the younger generation," said Jossy in a statement received in Jakarta, Thursday, October 9.

He said the threat of narcotics is now increasingly complex and requires cross-agency collaboration and vigilance from all levels of society.

"Riau Police invites the government, law enforcement officials, the world of education, and the wider community to jointly fight drugs so that Riau, especially the Meranti Islands, remains clean and safe," he said.

Jossy emphasized that his party would not hesitate to act harshly against dealers and dealers. "We will take firm action. If the perpetrator resists or tries to escape, firm action will be taken on the spot," he said.

Meanwhile, Meranti Islands Police Chief AKBP Aldi Alfa Faroqi said that the success of this disclosure was the result of close cooperation between units and information support from the public.

"This case proves that the cooperation between the community and the legal apparatus is very decisive. We thank all parties who have helped, both in the investigation and keeping the situation conducive," said Aldi.

He added that the network is strongly indicated to be connected to international drug syndicates that take advantage of border sea routes. Therefore, surveillance in coastal areas will continue to be tightened.

On the same occasion, the Head of the National Narcotics Agency for Riau Province, Brigadier General Christ Reinhard Pusung, appreciated this achievement and called it the largest disclosure in the history of the establishment of the Meranti Islands Police.

"This is the biggest disclosure that has ever happened in Meranti. We appreciate the hard work and professionalism of the ranks of the Riau Police and the Meranti Police," said Brigadier General Christ.

He explained that the mode of drug trafficking is now increasingly sophisticated, using vape liquid and a drink labeled "Happy Water" which resembles a legal product. "Happy Water is not ordinary drinking water, but psychotropic fluids that cause euphoria and addiction," he said.

Christ appealed to the public to be more aware of vape or liquid products without distribution permits. "Don't take it lightly. It could be that what our children smoke is deadly liquid drugs," he said.

The Riau BNNP will strengthen cooperation with Customs, Police, and local governments to close the distribution route for these dangerous goods.

In this activity, the Regent of Meranti Islands H. Asmar, Kajari Ricky Makado, and other Forkopimda elements were also present.