Djamari: Preventing transnational crime requires involvement of all law enforcement agencies

Batam (ANTARA) - Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs (Menko Polkam) Djamari Chaniago has emphasised that efforts to prevent and eradicate transnational crime require the involvement of all law enforcement agencies.

According to him, supervision cannot rely on just one institution because of the vast number of entry and exit points in Indonesia.

“Efforts to prevent the entry of illegal goods must be maximised. It cannot be done by one agency alone; everyone must be involved,” said Djamari at the disclosure of a foiled attempt to smuggle 2.6 tonnes of liquid methamphetamine in Batam, Riau Islands, on Friday.

He said the successful uncovering of several narcotics smuggling cases in recent times is evidence of the importance of inter-agency collaboration.

“It cannot be done by just one component, only BNN (National Narcotics Agency), Customs, the police or the TNI. All of them must be involved,” he said.

According to Djamari, Indonesia has a vast territory with many routes that transnational crime networks can exploit to bring in or take out illegal goods.

“Our country indeed has many entry and exit points, and our role is to prevent illegal goods from entering or leaving,” he said.

“Indonesia must not become a transit point, a storage place or a market for transnational crime. We will never be weak against criminal elements,” added the Menko Polkam.

Djamari cited the uncovering of the 2.6-tonne liquid methamphetamine smuggling and the earlier 1.3 tonnes of ketamine in the Riau Islands as the result of joint work by law enforcement agencies.

The disclosure is considered not only to prevent the circulation of narcotics but also to save the public from the impact of drug abuse.

He said that if the methamphetamine had circulated and users had to undergo rehabilitation, the cost to the state would also be very large.

“Mathematically, that is 14 million people. If they are rehabilitated, at Rp10 million per person, the total could reach Rp140 trillion for rehabilitation. That is the cost we are preventing,” he said.

Djamari also appreciated all ranks involved in the operation to eradicate smuggling and asked that the synergy continue to be strengthened.

“The state will remain present wherever needed to save this nation,” he concluded.