Riau Police Bust International Drug Syndicate, Rp68 Billion Worth of Heroin Seized

The Directorate of Narcotics Crime (Ditresnarkoba) of the Riau Regional Police thwarted the circulation of heroin in a dramatic haul weighing 22.73 kilograms. The evidence valued at Rp68.1 billion was seized from an international network operating in Bengkalis Regency. Director of Narcotics, Kombes Pol Putu Yudha Prawira, explained that the discovery began from public information about heroin transactions in Sei Pakning, Bengkalis. The Riau Police team then conducted an undercover buy on Jalan Lingkar Sungai Selari, Bukit Batu District. ‘Officers arrested two suspects identified as K and RA, who were at the roadside on motorcycles, and found five large packages suspected of being heroin as evidence,’ he said. From interrogation, both suspects admitted the drugs belonged to another suspect with the initials SK. The team then expanded the operation to another location in Temiang Village, Bandar Laksamana District. ‘Officers also captured SK with a large package of heroin buried in his chili garden. Not far from there, the team found 36 large packages of heroin stored in plastic drums and buried in a palm oil plantation area,’ he added. In total, 42 packages or about 23.7 kilograms were seized, along with two mobile phones and one motorcycle used for transport. The two suspects and the evidence have been secured at the Ditresnarkoba office for further investigation and for developing a broader narcotics distribution network. ‘We are still probing the origin of the drugs and possible involvement of other networks in the case,’ he said. International Syndicate Deputy Chief of Police Hengki Haryadi stated that the heroin is strongly suspected to have originated from abroad, noting that opium raw material is typically produced in the Golden Crescent or Golden Triangle. ‘This is a transnational syndicate. Heroin is much less commonly found in Indonesia than methamphetamine. The operation carries high risk because members must move covertly without open-system support to dismantle the network,’ he said. Hengki also issued a stern warning to all parties, including internal police, not to tamper with drugs. ‘We are committed to being transparent and firm. If any police officer is involved, the penalties are clear: dismissal and maximum legal proceedings. This crime is an extraordinary crime that we must combat together with the community through the concept of community policing,’ he said. For their actions, the two suspects face charges under Article 114(2) in conjunction with Article 132(1) of Law No. 35 of 2009 on Narcotics and/or Article 609(2)(a) of the 2023 Penal Code (New KUHP) along with Law No. 1 of 2026. ‘The penalties can include the death penalty, life imprisonment, or a minimum of five years in prison,’ he concluded. (mea/dhn)