Head of Salemba Detention Centre Denies Ammar Zoni's Statement That Drugs Are Easily Obtained Like Fried Peanuts

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The head of Salemba Detention Centre, Wahyu Tri Utomo, has denied the statement by Ammar Zoni, who claimed that the circulation of narcotics in Salemba Detention Centre is easily obtainable, like buying fried peanuts.

“The statement from Mr Ammar Zoni in his personal plea is not true,” said Wahyu when confirmed by Kompas.com on Thursday (2/4/2026).

Wahyu affirmed that his side is committed to carrying out the orders of the Minister of Law and Human Rights in eradicating drug circulation.

“In eradicating drugs in the Class I Detention Centre in Central Jakarta, we have also taken progressive steps,” Wahyu continued.

He detailed several steps that have been taken, including the optimisation of body searches on officers, official visitors, and general visitors.

In addition, checks on carried items have been tightened using X-ray equipment.

“Then, carrying out transfers to Nusakambangan Island for high-risk inmates based on assessment results,” revealed Wahyu.

Another step taken is early detection by optimising the intelligence function through gathering evidence and information from various sources, such as reports from correctional intelligence agents or police, social media patrols, to public complaints.

Previously, the defendant in the alleged drug circulation case at Salemba Detention Centre, Ammar Zoni, expressed his shock when he first underwent detention.

He admitted that he initially thought Salemba Detention Centre was a drug-free place.

“It turns out that is where the nest of all types of drugs is. It’s really very heavy, very heavy, extremely heavy to avoid all that,” he said while reading his plea in the trial at the Central Jakarta District Court, Kemayoran, on Thursday.