Medan Narcotics Cases Surge 117 Percent, Jermal Becomes Focus of Enforcement
The Medan City Police have recorded an extreme surge in narcotics cases throughout the first semester of 2026. The number of cases uncovered has more than doubled compared to the same period last year, with the Jermal area becoming the main focus of enforcement operations.
Medan City Police Chief Commissioner Jean Calvijn Simanjuntak stated that from January to June 2026, his unit successfully uncovered 997 narcotics cases. This figure represents a 117 percent increase, or an additional 538 cases, compared to the first semester of 2025. "Case disclosures have risen sharply, followed by the arrest of 1,211 individuals suspected of involvement in distribution networks and drug abuse," he explained on Thursday (11/6).
He added that the Jermal area is currently the top priority for the Medan City Police under the Gerebek Sarang Narkoba (GSN), or Drug Nest Raid, programme. By mid-year, officers had conducted 14 raids in the area. Twenty-three buildings strongly suspected of being used as drug transaction sites have been demolished. However, police are facing a persistent game of cat-and-mouse on the ground, finding that several illegal structures were rebuilt in the same location or shifted to new spots within the area following demolition. In total, the police have carried out 102 GSN enforcement activities across various vulnerable locations this year.
The surge in case disclosures has been accompanied by a drastic increase in the amount of evidence seized. Police confiscated 231 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, up 79 percent; 54 kilograms of cannabis, up 15 percent; 2,200 Happy Five pills, up 24 percent; and 93,000 ecstasy pills. In the latest development, the Medan City Police are now wary of a new trend: the distribution of narcotics in e-cigarette liquid form. A total of 3,000 pots of vaping liquid containing prohibited substances were seized, a method not previously detected in 2025.
The 2026 Antik Operation, which lasted 21 days, boosted these results, contributing 164 cases and 195 suspects, including the seizure of 1,900 pots of vape liquid containing ethyl methyl. Not only targeting residential areas, the police have also begun to go after drug networks in Medan's nightlife entertainment venues. Calvijn mentioned that his unit is currently investigating the involvement of Phantom KTV in alleged drug distribution. "Narcotics eradication is our top priority. We will continue to shut down centres of drug distribution activity to create a safe environment for the people of Medan," he stressed.