Riau Province Anti-Drug Task Force Mobilises to Combat Narcotics

The Riau Provincial Government, together with elements of the TNI, Police, and all relevant stakeholders, held the Readiness Parade for the Riau Province Anti-Drug Task Force on the grounds of the Riau Governor’s Office on Saturday (25/4/2026). This parade serves as an affirmation that the war against drugs in Riau has entered a serious phase and requires collaborative cross-sectoral steps. The parade was attended by cross-sectoral forces, demonstrating the seriousness and integrated scale of handling built in a coordinated manner. TNI elements were present in a combined force from the Army, Air Force, and Navy. Meanwhile, from the Police, it involved various functional units, ranging from Brimob, Samapta, Polairud, Traffic, to functions of General Criminal Investigation, Special Criminal Investigation, and Narcotics Investigation. Beyond TNI-Police elements, the parade was also attended by the National Narcotics Agency at the provincial and district/city levels, Kesbangpol, Civil Service Police Unit, Customs, Correctional Institutions, Avsec, as well as community elements such as the National Anti-Drug Movement (GRANAT). The involvement of community organisations is important as a representation of public participation in the war against drugs. In his address, Acting Governor of Riau, SF Hariyanto, emphasised that narcotics crime in the Riau region is no longer local in nature but involves organised cross-border networks. “This is extraordinary; narcotics crime occurs across borders. We hope this Task Force can carry out its duties and save the people of Riau,” said Hariyanto. He stressed that this situation demands an extraordinary response. According to him, concrete and collaborative steps are the only approach that can address the complexity of the current narcotics problem. “Therefore, concrete and collaborative steps are needed to save the community, especially our young generation, from the threat of drugs,” he continued. Meanwhile, Riau Police Chief Herry Heryawan emphasised that the formation of the Anti-Drug Task Force is a strategic step to strengthen synergy and the state’s response to the increasingly complex narcotics threat. According to him, the incident in Panipahan some time ago serves as an important alarm that the drug problem not only impacts legal aspects but also has the potential to trigger public order disturbances and erode public trust if not handled comprehensively. “This is a concrete answer to public concerns. The state must not lose to drug networks. All existing forces today are consolidated to move quickly, measurably, and coordinately,” said the Police Chief. He emphasised that Riau Police implements a zero-tolerance principle towards drugs. There is no room for compromise for dealers, distributors, or parties involved in dark distribution networks. On the other hand, the approach taken is not only oriented towards enforcement but also prevention and strengthening the role of the community. Riau Police, said the Police Chief, will strengthen collaboration with the Riau Provincial Government and BNNP in building shining villages and resilient anti-drug villages in various areas. “Going forward, we will not only talk about enforcement but also build resilience from the bottom. Shining villages and resilient anti-drug villages are part of a grand strategy to ensure the community is actively involved in prevention,” he explained. The Police Chief emphasised that the war against drugs is part of safeguarding the region’s future. Drugs not only destroy individuals but also threaten social stability and the future of generations. “Fighting drugs is safeguarding the future. This is joint work; the state is present and the community must move together,” he concluded.