South Kalimantan Police Seize 172.4 kg of Meth in Two-Month Operation

The South Kalimantan Regional Police (Polda Kalsel) seized 172.4 kilograms of methamphetamine and 556 ecstasy pills during a two-month operation spanning 24 May to 21 July. The evidence, accumulated from the arrest of 39 suspects—35 men and 4 women—was destroyed on Tuesday. Police Chief Inspector General Rosyanto Yudha Hermawan stated that the seizure prevented at least 863,033 individuals from potential drug abuse and saved the state and public an estimated IDR 4.3 trillion in rehabilitation costs. He added that the operation also disrupted an illicit market cash flow estimated at IDR 311 billion. The destruction of the narcotics was carried out in compliance with legal mandates to ensure transparency and accountability in the investigation led by the Director of Drug Investigation, Senior Commissioner Baktiar Joko Mujiono. Governor Muhidin praised the police’s efforts, noting the massive seizure indicated the involvement of powerful networks, and urged the public to continue providing information on drug-related activities. House of Representatives Commission III member Habib Aboe Bakar Alhabsyi, who attended the event, affirmed that the case was not merely a routine enforcement action but concrete proof of the authorities’ seriousness in combating narcotics distribution.