Sidoarjo Police Crack Down on Narcotics Trafficking, Arrest 25 Suspects Throughout March 2026

The Narcotics Investigation Unit of the Sidoarjo Police successfully uncovered 19 cases of narcotics abuse, securing a total of 25 suspects throughout the March 2026 period. Sidoarjo Police Chief Kombes Christian Tobing stated that all the arrested suspects are male. Based on the investigation results, the majority of them played roles as the front line in the distribution, namely as couriers and dealers in the Sidoarjo jurisdiction area. “During March 2026, we successfully uncovered 19 cases with 25 suspects. This is our commitment to eradicating the circulation and abuse of narcotics in the Sidoarjo area,” said Tobing during a press conference held on Thursday (6/4). In this large-scale operation, officers seized a significant amount of evidence. The total narcotics secured included 235.79 grams of sabu (methamphetamine), 52 ecstasy pills, and 408.66 grams of ready-to-distribute dried marijuana. The economic value of all the evidence is estimated to reach Rp387 million. This success is claimed to have a significant social impact. Tobing explained that by thwarting the narcotics circulation, the police have at least kept thousands of people away from the trap of addiction. “This is not just numbers, but a real form of saving the generation from the dangers of narcotics. If calculated, this uncovering is estimated to have saved around 4,000 lives from potential narcotics abuse,” said Tobing. The modus operandi used by the suspects is quite varied to deceive the officers. Ranging from the ‘ranjau’ system where goods are placed at certain points without physical meetings, to direct transactions or Cash on Delivery (COD). One notable arrest occurred on 5 March in the Tulangan area. A man with initials AH was apprehended at his residence. To investigators, AH admitted to daring to become a sabu courier under the control of a dealer who is now listed as a Wanted Person (DPO). Similar trends were also found in a series of arrests in the Tarik and Sarirogo areas from mid to late March. Currently, the suspects must prepare to face heavy punishment threats. The police are charging them under Article 114 paragraph (2) and/or Article 132 paragraph (1) of Law Number 35 of 2009 on Narcotics. The maximum sanctions looming over the perpetrators range from life imprisonment to the death penalty. Although dozens of suspects have been secured, Sidoarjo Police assure that surveillance will not be relaxed. Tobing emphasised that his side is conducting intensive pursuits of the upper-level networks that supply goods to the suspects. “We don’t stop here. Development continues to uncover the networks above them. We also invite the public to actively participate in providing information related to narcotics circulation,” concluded Tobing.