Riau Provincial Police's Achievements in Combating Drugs Deemed Positive
The success of the Riau Provincial Police in addressing thousands of drug cases from January to April 2026 has received positive attention. This achievement is regarded as a concrete step in implementing the zero-tolerance policy against illegal drug syndicates in Indonesia.
According to records from the Riau Provincial Police, 1,026 narcotics cases were successfully uncovered, with a total of 742 suspects. This figure is seen as demonstrating the firm commitment of the Riau Provincial Police in efforts to break the drug supply chain.
Researcher from the Maarif Institute, Dr Endang Tirtana, assessed this achievement as showing the seriousness of the authorities in addressing the serious challenge of narcotics circulation.
“The combination of repressive and strategic approaches is key to creating a deterrent effect while narrowing the operational space for drug networks,” said Endang in his statement to reporters on Friday (25/4/2026).
This uncovering is regarded as a spectacular success in efforts to eradicate drugs in the Riau region. The step is also in line with the directives from Prabowo Subianto in October 2025, which emphasised the zero-tolerance policy against narcotics crime perpetrators.
Not only prioritising a repressive approach, the Riau Provincial Police also implement a comprehensive strategy to break the drug circulation chain from upstream to downstream. These efforts include strengthening intelligence, cross-sector collaboration, and crackdowns on major networks that have previously been the main suppliers.
“The Riau Provincial Police are deemed capable of translating that policy concretely through intensive and measured operational work,” he added.
Resilient Anti-Drug Villages
As part of a community-based prevention strategy, the Riau Provincial Police have designated five areas as pilot Resilient Anti-Drug Villages, namely Panipahan Resilient Anti-Drug Village, Pasir Limau Kapas Subdistrict, Rokan Hilir Regency; Dalam Village in Senapelan Subdistrict, Pekanbaru City; Empang Pandan Village, Koto Gasib Subdistrict, Siak Regency; Laksamana Ward, Dumai Subdistrict, Dumai City; and Jangkang Village, Bantan Subdistrict, Bengkalis Regency.
“These resilient villages are our way of strengthening grassroots communities. This task is not just the police’s duty, but a collective task for all of us to conduct mapping and assessment of social potential,” said Inspector General of Police Herry Heryawan at the Riau Provincial Police Headquarters in Pekanbaru City on Thursday (16/4).
In his remarks, the Riau Police Chief mentioned the recent unrest and community aspirations related to drugs in Panipahan, Rokan Hilir. He described the incident as a harsh warning (wake-up call) not only for the police apparatus but also for other agencies and the government.
On the other hand, the 1996 Police Academy graduate also expressed his appreciation to the mothers in Panipahan who dared to speak out. Based on post-conflict assessments, it was revealed that many families have been destroyed by drugs, including fishermen trapped in the myth that drugs can increase strength while at sea.
“The Panipahan incident is a wake-up call not only for the sub-district police chief, but for me, the regional military commander, the National Narcotics Agency, Customs, up to the regional government. We conducted an assessment, and it turned out there was a lack of police and government touch there,” said Inspector General Herry.
Anti-Drug Ambassadors
In efforts to strengthen its commitment to prevention and eradication of drugs, the Riau Provincial Police have also inaugurated Anti-Drug Ambassadors. The Riau Regional Police strengthen their commitment in efforts to prevent and eradicate drugs. Twenty-three individuals from student, pupil, to online motorcycle taxi driver circles have been appointed as Anti-Drug Ambassadors, expected to become agents of change in realising a drug-free Riau.
The inauguration took place on Thursday (16/4/2026) in the Tribrata Hall of the Riau Provincial Police Headquarters, attended directly by Riau Police Chief Inspector General of Police Herry Heryawan, accompanied by Deputy Police Chief Brigadier General of Police Hengki Haryadi, Riau Provincial Police Internal Affairs Chief Commissioner of Police Prabowo Santoso, and other main officials of the Riau Provincial Police.
In his directions, Police Chief Inspector General Herry Heryawan emphasised that this activity is not merely ceremonial, but part of concrete steps to build collective awareness in combating drugs.