Seize 1.2 Kg Of Crystal Methamphetamine And 766 Kg Of Marijuana, West Sumatra BNNP Releases Notes Throughout 2024

Illustration of illegal drugs (Unsplash)

JAKARTA - The Provincial Narcotics National Agency (BNNP) of West Sumatra confiscated 1.2 kg (1,279.46 grams) of crystal methamphetamine and 766 kg (766,207 grams) of marijuana throughout 2024.

"From the confiscation of the evidence, there are 22 suspects of drug abuse," said the Head of the West Sumatra BNNP, Brigadier General Pol. Ricky Yanuarfi in Padang, as reported by ANTARA, Wednesday, December 25, 2024.

He said that in revealing drug crimes, the West Sumatra BNNP only focused on disclosing drug syndicates comprehensively and not arresting drug abusers.

"In 2024 we managed to uncover four narcotics syndicate networks," he said.

Ricky said the distribution of methamphetamine that was revealed by his party decreased in 2024 compared to 2023. In 2023 his party confiscated 2.1 kg of crystal methamphetamine. Meanwhile, the amount of marijuana distribution revealed by his party increased in 2024 rather than 2023. In 2023, his party confiscated 37.47 kg of marijuana.

Of the total disclosure of drug abuse cases committed by his party, said Ricky, there were three most prominent cases. First, in February 2024, his party uncovered the smuggling of 946.82 grams of crystal methamphetamine from Riau.

The smuggling was controlled by an inmate in Padang. The items are stored in several warehouses in Air Haji, Pesisir Selatan Regency.

Second, in April 2024 the West Sumatra BNNP revealed the circulation of 141.7 kg of marijuana from Mandailing Natal, North Sumatra. Ricky said that at that time his party arrested a police officer with the rank of Aipda, the cannabis courier. His party also arrested the controller and financier of the cannabis trafficking, who was an inmate.

Third, in October 2024 the West Sumatra BNNP and Customs and Excise revealed a syndicate of marijuana dealers between the Aceh-North Sumatra and West Sumatra provinces. Ricky said that his party at that time revealed the circulation of 624 kg of marijuana.

"West Sumatra has not only become a crossing route for methamphetamine, marijuana, and index pills from Aceh, North Sumatra, Riau, but has become a promising market for narcotics dealers to be circulated in West Sumatra. In addition, West Sumatra has become a supplier of narcotics for other provinces," he said.

To eradicate narcotics trafficking, said Ricky, the West Sumatra BNNP continues to carry out 24-hour operations every day throughout the year without interruption.

Meanwhile, to detect people who were positive for drugs, the West Sumatra BNNP in 2024 examined 197,862 people's urine. Ricky said that from the examination it was known that 1,405 people were positive for drugs.

As an effort to prevent drug trafficking and abuse, the West Sumatra BNNP in 2024 formed ten shining villages. He explained that the shining village is a national priority program implemented by the West Sumatra BNNP.

He hopes that through this activity awareness of drug trafficking and abuse can be built from the lowest environment, namely the village (nagari).

"The active role of the community and village officials in fortifying the environment, both individually and in groups, can have a significant impact on drug trafficking and abuse programs," he said.

In addition, in 2024 his party will form 50 family members shining through the anti-drug family resilience program.