NTT Directorate General of Corrections Office Commits to Drug-Free, Phone-Free, and Fraud-Free Prisons and Detention Centres

The Regional Office of the Directorate General of Corrections (Kanwil Ditjenpas), together with detention centres and prisons across East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), conducted a pledge to be free from illegal mobile phones (HP), narcotics, and fraud on Friday (8/5/2026). This pledge was carried out simultaneously throughout Indonesia in accordance with directives from the Minister of Immigration and Corrections (Menimipas) Agus Andrianto.

“Actually, before making this pledge today, all officials in the NTT ranks have committed to making prisons and detention centres free from narcotics, free from fraud, and free from mobile phones. Today’s pledge is a tangible form of our leadership’s seriousness in eradicating the circulation of narcotics and mobile phones in prisons and detention centres,” explained the Head of the Regional Office (Kakanwil) of the Directorate General of Corrections (Ditjenpas) NTT, Ketut Akbar Herry Achjar.

“Not only for inmates but for all officers across Indonesia,” he added.

Akbar explained that the number of drug case inmates in NTT is relatively low, namely 71 people. The majority of these drug inmates are involved in marijuana cases. NTT is a vulnerable area due to its border with neighbouring countries Timor Leste and Australia.

“But after our investigation, the collaboration that enters NTT is mostly marijuana. This marijuana enters through package routes. As for methamphetamine, it comes through the neighbour route via Labuan Bajo, but the portion is not significant,” he clarified.

To keep prisons and detention centres free from prohibited items, Akbar continued, routine raids are conducted twice a week. Ditjenpas also collaborates with TNI/Police, BNN, the community, religious figures, and customary leaders.

Meanwhile, NTT Governor Emanuel Melkiades Laka Lena, through his special staff Petrus Serah Tahuk, appreciated the steps taken by Kanwil Ditjenpas to curb drug circulation in NTT.

“We are grateful that the regional head involves various related stakeholders today to build a kind of entry point for eradicating narcotics in East Nusa Tenggara Province,” said Petrus.

Petrus noted that NTT’s geographical position makes it one of the areas prone to drug circulation. Especially since it borders two neighbouring countries.

The former Head of the NTT Border Office explained that from an external perspective, NTT is considered an “elephant route” for drug smuggling, which certainly requires attention from all stakeholders to address it.

“Out there, people might think this is an ‘elephant route’, meaning this route must be properly guarded so that drug circulation in the context of international crime does not enter our territory,” he stated.

He emphasised the importance of educating the public about the adverse effects of drugs. “Therefore, education and understanding about the harmful impacts of drugs must be continuously voiced. Because if only the government works alone, it is not enough. There must be collaboration with all parties, including the media, to educate the public about the harmful effects of any type of drug,” he concluded.