Riau Police Destroy Rp 8.4 Billion in Drugs, Claim 32,000 Lives Saved
The Directorate of Drug Investigation of the Riau Regional Police has destroyed various pieces of evidence including methamphetamine, ecstasy, cannabis, and vape liquid containing etomidate. The evidence was the result of uncovering 22 cases with a total of 24 suspects.
Head of the Investigation Supervision Unit at the Riau Police’s Directorate of Drug Investigation, AKBP Edi Munawar, stated the destruction was carried out after all evidence obtained a court ruling as part of the law enforcement process against narcotics crimes. “The total economic value of all seized evidence is estimated to reach Rp 8.48 billion. Had it successfully circulated in the community, these narcotics could have caused a major social impact and destroyed the younger generation,” he said.
The evidence destroyed included 5,226.74 grams of methamphetamine, 3,191 ecstasy pills, 743 cartridges of liquid etomidate, and 812.2 grams of cannabis. Edi said that with this disclosure, tens of thousands of lives were saved. “With this discovery, we can save around 32,704 people from the dangers of drug abuse,” he stated.
In these cases, the suspects are charged with several articles under Law Number 35 of 2009 concerning Narcotics, including Article 114 paragraph (2), Article 112 paragraph (2), Article 111 paragraph (1), and Article 132 paragraph (1). Meanwhile, for cases involving the distribution of liquid containing etomidate, investigators are also applying provisions in Law Number 17 of 2023 concerning Health. “The threat of punishment is very severe, ranging from a maximum prison sentence of 20 years, to life imprisonment, to the death penalty,” Edi emphasised.
Meanwhile, the Riau Police are also observing a change in drug trafficking patterns, which are now starting to shift from methamphetamine to liquid containing etomidate. This substance is known to be consumed through electronic cigarettes or vapes and has been found increasingly often in recent drug case disclosures. “Indeed, there is a slight change in trends. If previously disclosures involved a lot of methamphetamine, now they are starting to shift to etomidate or liquid. This is a serious concern for us,” he added.
The Riau Police invited all elements of society to play an active role in combating the illicit trafficking of narcotics. Public participation is considered one of the key factors in efforts to prevent and eradicate drugs down to the smallest neighbourhood level. Members of the public who know of or suspect drug abuse or trafficking activities in their area are urged to report it immediately via the 110 Police Service or the Riau Police Anti-Drug Task Force via WhatsApp at 08136306547 so that it can be followed up by the police. The destruction event was attended by representatives from the Riau High Prosecutor’s Office, the Riau Provincial National Narcotics Agency (BNNP), the Riau Police Public Relations Division, and the Riau Police Internal Affairs Division, along with the chairman of the National Anti-Narcotics Movement (Granat) for Riau Province.