North Sumatra Police Destroy Drug Evidence Worth IDR 690 Billion

North Sumatra Police Chief Inspector General RZ Panca Putra Simanjuntak (three right) during the destruction of drug evidence. (ANTARA/HO-Humas Polda North Sumatra).

The North Sumatra Police destroyed evidence of drugs worth Rp. 690 billion consisting of methamphetamine weighing 134,458.8 grams, 78,730 ecstasy pills and 536,339 grams of marijuana.

The drug evidence was confiscated from 40 suspects in 28 different cases who were arrested during the operation during the period from March 19 to June 10, 2023.

The destruction of drug evidence was led by the North Sumatra Police Chief Inspector General RZ Panca Putra Simanjuntak.

The North Sumatra Police Chief said the modus operandi of the suspects was drug abuse in various ways. "The method is various ways with the aim of being successfully sold to the customer," he said as quoted by ANTARA, Thursday, June 15.

Panca explained that the methamphetamine-type drugs were picked up from the middle of the sea in Tanjung Balai waters using fishing boats. Then hidden in the boat and taken to fishing.

Upon arrival on land, the items were hidden under the trunk floor of the rear car which was connected to a modified spare tire storage area.

"Cash drugs were brought from Aceh using a private car and stored in the trunk of the car to Medan," he said.

Meanwhile, the ecstasy pills were brought from Tanjungbalai using a private car wrapped in plastic assoys to Medan.

"Of the total confiscated evidence, 2,766,022 people were saved, assuming one gram of crystal methamphetamine for four people, while one gram of marijuana for four people, and one ecstasy pill for one person," he said.

The Regional Police Chief said the value of the drug evidence was around Rp. 690 billion, assuming the price of methamphetamine was Rp. 1 billion per kilogram, marijuana was Rp. 1 million per kilogram, and ecstasy was Rp. 250 thousand per item.

"Drug destruction is carried out by milling around using special machines for methamphetamine and ecstasy, while marijuana leaves are burned in special places," said Panca.

The Head of Public Relations of the North Sumatra Police, Kombes Hadi Wahyudi, said that the various confiscated drug evidence proved the commitment of the North Sumatra Police Chief in eradicating drug trafficking in the local area.

"The commitment of the North Sumatra Police Chief to eradicate all forms of drug trafficking which are common enemies and damage the younger generation should be supported. Therefore, community participation and stakeholders are needed," he said.