Riau Police Destroy Rp 9.7 Billion in Narcotics, Saving 197,000 Lives

Riau Regional Police have destroyed a haul of narcotics including methamphetamine, ecstasy, and vape cartridges containing etomidate, with a total value of Rp 9.7 billion. The evidence was seized during operations conducted between June and July 2026.

"If converted into rupiah, the evidence we are destroying is worth Rp 9.7 billion," said Riau Police Narcotics Director Senior Commissioner Putu Yudha Prawira during a press conference in Pekanbaru on Wednesday (29/7/2026). The destruction event was attended by Riau Deputy Police Chief Brigadier General Hengki Haryadi, other senior police officials, representatives from the National Narcotics Agency (BNNP) Riau, the prosecutor’s office, the suspects, and their legal counsel.

The destroyed evidence included 25.7 kilograms of methamphetamine, 57,115 ecstasy pills, 447.9 grams of ecstasy powder, 345.3 grams of cannabis, 1,281 vape cartridges containing etomidate, and 7,270 Happy Five pills. "The evidence was obtained from 26 cases with 24 suspects arrested," Senior Commissioner Putu stated. The drugs were linked to an international syndicate and were intended for distribution to Jakarta, East Kalimantan, Palu, and several other locations.

Putu expressed appreciation to Customs and Excise and the Aviation Security (Avsec) team at Sultan Syarif Kasim II Airport in Pekanbaru for their intensive collaboration in uncovering the case. "Customs and Excise has significant equipment to prevent the entry of narcotics from neighbouring countries into Indonesia, particularly Riau Province. We also appreciate Avsec at the airport for their thoroughness, which led to the drugs being intercepted," he explained.

From these seizures, Riau Police stated they have saved 197,000 members of the nation’s younger generation from the dangers of narcotics. The destruction of the narcotics had received a court order, a step taken as a form of transparency and to prevent any misuse of the evidence. Senior Commissioner Putu added that his department remains committed to preventing drug trafficking, combining law enforcement efforts with ongoing public education campaigns.