Kepri Police Uncover Marijuana Network in Batam, Three Suspects Arrested
The Narcotics Investigation Directorate (Ditresnarkoba) of the Kepulauan Riau Regional Police (Polda Kepri) has uncovered a marijuana distribution network in Batam City. During the operation, police arrested three men with the initials MF, F, and MZ.
From the disclosure, police seized evidence of dried marijuana with a total weight of approximately 5,042 grammes, or more than 5 kilogrammes. The illicit substance was found at several different locations across the Batam area.
Polda Kepri Head of Public Relations, Senior Commissioner Nona Pricillia Ohei, stated that the case was uncovered by the Operational Team of Sub-Directorate III of the Polda Kepri Narcotics Investigation Directorate on Thursday afternoon last week.
According to her, the investigation began with a tip-off from the public who suspected narcotics activity involving marijuana in Batam. Officers followed up on the information by conducting field investigations.
“From the results of the development, officers found evidence of dried marijuana stored in several locations,” Nona said on Monday (22/6).
During the investigation, police successfully identified the perpetrators suspected of being involved in the marijuana distribution network. The three suspects were then arrested in stages by the Operational Team of Sub-Directorate III.
After the suspects were detained, officers conducted further development to search for additional evidence. From this development, police found dried marijuana stored separately in several places.
She explained that the perpetrators allegedly used a method of storing evidence in different locations to avoid suspicion. The marijuana was kept in several rented houses, including in the areas of Sekupang, Batam Kota, and Nongsa.
The separate storage was also allegedly intended to make it difficult for officers to track all the evidence. However, through searches and case development, police managed to secure all evidence related to the case.
The total dried marijuana seized by police reached approximately 5,042 grammes. The evidence was then secured along with the suspects at the Polda Kepri headquarters.
“This disclosure is the result of the hard work of Polda Kepri Narcotics Investigation Directorate personnel in following up on public information and developing the narcotics distribution network,” she said.
Investigators are still deepening the case. Police are continuing to trace the possibility of other parties involved in the narcotics distribution network.
Development is also being carried out to uncover the roles of each suspect, including the possibility of a dealer or controller managing the marijuana distribution in the Batam area.
Currently, the three suspects along with all evidence have been secured at the Polda Kepri headquarters to undergo further investigation.