Mothers Raid Drug Den in Riau, Only to Be Called 'Over the Top' by Police

Hundreds of residents, dominated by groups of mothers or ‘emak-emak’, carried out a raid on several buildings strongly suspected of being dens for drug activities in Rokan Hilir Regency, Riau, on Tuesday, 14 April 2026. The action was triggered by the residents’ frustration and disappointment over the massive circulation of illicit goods, which they deemed to have destroyed their environment. In an amateur video uploaded by the Instagram account @merindink, the crowd is seen raiding a stilt house and discovering several pieces of evidence in the form of clear clip plastic bags containing white crystals suspected to be methamphetamine, as well as makeshift smoking devices (bongs). Tension with Authorities The situation briefly heated up when one of the security personnel at the location tried to calm the crowd’s anger by asking residents not to act excessively or be ‘over the top’. “That’s enough, no need to overdo it,” said a police officer in the video recording. The statement immediately drew a strong response from several mothers. She emphasised that the residents’ actions were a last line of defence to save the future of the younger generation. “The dealers are the ones being excessive, Sir! Don’t say we’re the ones being excessive. So many generations have been ruined because of that methamphetamine!” shouted the woman while showing the discovered evidence. As of the writing of this article, the video has been filled with various reactions from netizens. Many support the mothers’ raid on the suspected drug dens. “How dare that ‘sir’ say something like that,” wrote one netizen. “Mum, thank you for being the real police for the people,” replied another netizen. “Are the mothers being excessive, or is it that the police can’t do their job? Aren’t you ashamed, Mr/Ms Police?” said a netizen.