After 13 Climbers Picked Edelweiss, Another Found Carrying Methamphetamine on Mount Tambora

The climbing route on Mount Tambora in Sumbawa, West Nusa Tenggara, has been tarnished once again. In addition to 13 climbers being caught picking edelweiss flowers and littering, one other person was also found carrying methamphetamine while preparing to climb.

“That is correct. The case has been transferred to the Bima Police narcotics unit,” said Tambora Police Chief Iptu Suhadak when contacted by detikBali on Friday (21/8/2026).

Suhadak said the case came to light after a joint team from Tambora Police, the Indonesian National Armed Forces, forest police and the Mount Tambora National Park Office conducted patrols and inspected the belongings of climbers preparing to ascend Mount Tambora. The operation took place on the climbing route in Oi Bura Village, Tambora District, on Saturday (15/8/2026).

When approached by the joint officers, a man identified by the initials RH (19), a resident of Labuhan Kananga Village, Tambora District, appeared suspicious and discarded a small wallet before fleeing.

“After examination, the wallet contained five clips of methamphetamine and a smoking device (bong),” he said.

Suhadak stated that the evidence related to the narcotics offence has now been handed over to investigators from the Bima Police narcotics unit for further legal processing. The handover of evidence took place on Tuesday (18/8/2026).

“The evidence has been handed over by Tambora Police to investigators from the Bima Police narcotics unit,” he said.

Separately, Bima Police Narcotics Unit Chief AKP Dediansyah confirmed the matter. He said the evidence of five clips of methamphetamine and a smoking device had been received and would be processed further. The suspected perpetrator, whose identity has been recorded, is being pursued.

“We will investigate this case thoroughly. The suspected owner of the methamphetamine and smoking device, with the initials RH, is still being hunted,” he asserted.