Police Dismantle Medan-Jakarta Drug Network, Seize 26.7 Kg of Crystal Meth
Central Jakarta Metro Police have dismantled the distribution of narcotics in an inter-regional network between Medan and Jakarta, seizing evidence amounting to 26.7 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine and 900 e-cigarette cartridges suspected to contain narcotic substances.
Central Jakarta Metro Police Chief, Senior Commissioner Reynold EP Hutagalung, stated that the perpetrators exploited the security measures for the Eid homecoming traffic flow during Operation Ketupat Jaya 2026 to evade surveillance by officers.
“This shows that drug crimes continue to adapt to situations,” said Reynold in his statement in Jakarta on Friday (20/3), quoted by Antara.
The case was uncovered on Sunday (15/3) in the Cileungsi area, Bogor Regency. In the operation, police arrested one suspect with initials K, who is suspected to be part of the inter-regional drug network.
From the suspect’s hands, officers seized approximately 26.7 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine as well as 900 e-cigarette cartridges containing liquid suspected to contain the narcotic substance etomidate. Police also secured supporting evidence in the form of one vehicle, a mobile phone, and other storage media.
Head of the Narcotics Criminal Investigation Unit of Central Jakarta Metro Police, AKBP Wisnu S. Kuncoro, revealed that the perpetrators used a method of hiding narcotics inside vehicle tyres that were transported using a towing vehicle.
The vehicle used was a minibus with unofficial or temporary licence plates. Two tyres were used to hide the evidence, one placed on top of the vehicle and the other as a spare tyre underneath.
“This method was carried out to deceive the officers,” said Wisnu.
Based on further investigation, the suspect is known to be a recidivist who has been involved in drug distribution several times and has previously served a sentence. In this case, the perpetrator is also suspected of having repeatedly carried out drug shipments.
Police estimate the total value of the evidence to reach Rp25.9 billion. From that amount, the authorities estimate that around 25,900 lives have been saved from potential drug abuse.
For their actions, the suspect is charged under Article 114 paragraph (2) and Article 119 paragraph (2) of Law Number 35 of 2009 on Narcotics as well as provisions in the Criminal Code. He faces the death penalty, life imprisonment, or imprisonment for a minimum of six years to a maximum of 20 years, as well as a fine of up to Rp10 billion.