Karawang Police: 'Drop-off System' Dominates Drug Trafficking Methods

Karawang Police’s Narcotics Unit has stated that the ‘drop-off system’ continues to dominate the modus operandi of drug trafficking uncovered in cases across Karawang Regency, West Java, between July and August 2026.

“During the July-August period, officers handled 30 police reports related to criminal acts involving narcotics and certain medicines,” said Karawang Police Chief, Kombes Pol Mario Prahatinto, in Karawang on Saturday.

According to him, from those 30 reports, narcotics officers from the Karawang Police Unit secured 36 dealers and a range of evidence.

“Among the seized evidence were 1,010.74 grams (1.01 kilograms) of white crystal methamphetamine, 127.71 grams of synthetic tobacco (gorilla tobacco), and 268.10 grams of dried cannabis,” he said.

Additionally, evidence consisting of 80,079 tablets of certain medicines was seized from 12 different cases involving 15 suspected dealers.

He stated that based on preliminary investigations, the modus operandi used by dealers of methamphetamine, synthetic tobacco, and cannabis frequently involves the ‘drop-off system’.

In these transactions, dealers and buyers do not meet directly; instead, they use hidden location points, with payments made via bank transfers. The dealer hides the drug package in a specific location and then sends a photo of the location and its coordinates to the buyer. The buyer then travels to the specified point to collect the drugs.

“For the distribution of certain medicines, dealers still use direct, clandestine transactions. Some perpetrators have even gone as far as opening physical shops camouflaged as grocery stores or mobile credit counters to deceive the public and authorities,” he said.

Mario noted that the suspects face multiple charges according to the type of crime committed.

Suspects dealing more than 5 grams of methamphetamine are charged under Article 114, paragraph (2) of Law Number 35 of 2009 in conjunction with the Criminal Code, carrying a maximum penalty of death or life imprisonment.

Meanwhile, those involved in the distribution of certain medicines are charged under Articles 435 and 436, paragraph (2) of Law Number 17 of 2023 concerning Health, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 12 years.