Police: 22 Kilograms of Cocaine on Sumenep Beach Suspected from Colombia

Police suspect that the discovery of dozens of kilograms of cocaine in the coastal area of Sumenep Regency, Madura, East Java, is linked to an international narcotics network originating from South America, namely Colombia. This indication emerged after the police conducted a thorough analysis of the characteristics of the evidence found washed up on that beach. East Java Police Chief Inspector General Nanang Avianto stated that his team is mapping the dark trade routes entering Indonesian waters. “We are analysing the network from cocaine data in Colombia. This is strong evidence of an international dark trade route entering our waters,” Nanang said in Surabaya on Tuesday (5/5). Nanang explained that the entry of 22.226 kilograms of pure cocaine is an unusual phenomenon. Unlike methamphetamine or ecstasy, which commonly circulate in East Java, cocaine has a much higher economic value and a very specific market. The use of the Sumenep coastal area is suspected to be a strategy by the international network to avoid detection by authorities. The long coastline and remote conditions of the area provide a loophole for the entry of the illicit goods. “Coastal areas that are relatively quieter are actually vulnerable to being used as smuggling routes. This is a special concern for us,” Nanang emphasised. Based on police data, the cocaine evidence found consists of 23 packages. Initially, the gross weight of the goods reached 27 kilograms due to contamination with sand and sea debris, before being confirmed to have a net weight of 22.226 kilograms. With that amount, the total value of the cocaine is estimated to reach Rp115 billion. Given its fantastic value, the East Java Police are pushing for the acceleration of the destruction of the evidence to avoid potential misuse by irresponsible parties. “This item has an enticing value, so it must be destroyed immediately to prevent misuse,” he said. Currently, the East Java Police have coordinated with National Police Headquarters to develop the investigation and uncover the actors behind the shipment of Colombian cocaine. Surveillance at vulnerable points along the East Java coast has also been significantly tightened. On the other hand, Nanang called for active participation from coastal communities to report any suspicious findings, no matter how small. He emphasised that this drug threat targets the future of the younger generation. “The impact is enormous. We must prevent it together so that there are not more victims,” he concluded.