Jakarta-Makassar drug trafficking network busted, six kilograms of meth seized

Makassar, Indonesia — The Makassar City Police Narcotics Unit has seized more than six kilograms of methamphetamine and arrested seven suspects in a cross-provincial drug distribution network linked to an international operation. “Seven suspects with substantial evidence. There are more than six kilograms of methamphetamine with evidence valued at more than Rp12.1 billion,” said Makassar Police Commissioner Arya Perdana at a press conference at Makassar Police Headquarters, South Sulawesi.

He explained that the case emerged from the arrest of a suspect with the initials EP on Jalan Prof Basalamah, Panakkukang District, Makassar, who carried 44 grams of methamphetamine as evidence.

From the ensuing investigation, officers arrested a woman with the initials WM at an apartment in West Jakarta, with 23 grams of methamphetamine.

“This is a Jakarta–Makassar network. After the arrest of the suspect EP, the investigation led to a supplier from Jakarta,” Arya said.

Further inquiries yielded information about another network in Pekanbaru, Riau. The Makassar Narcotics Unit coordinated with the Pekanbaru Narcotics Unit to carry out the arrests.

“From Makassar the operation extended to Riau and five kilograms of methamphetamine, along with the perpetrators, were secured,” Arya added.

He noted that four of the seven suspects are repeat offenders in narcotics cases who have repeatedly entered and exited prison since 2018.

According to Arya, the suspects face a minimum sentence of six years in prison up to the death penalty.