South Sulawesi Police Foil Narcotics Circulation, 16 Arrested
The Narcotics Directorate of the South Sulawesi Regional Police has thwarted the distribution of various types of narcotics and arrested 16 perpetrators from 12 police reports in the South Sulawesi region.
“The suspects arrested number 16 people, with evidence including 2.56 kilograms of methamphetamine, 250 grams of synthetic tobacco, and 5,665 millilitres of synthetic liquid,” said Deputy Director of the South Sulawesi Police Narcotics Directorate, AKBP Yudi Prianto, at the South Sulawesi Police Headquarters in Makassar on Tuesday.
He stated that during early August 2026, 12 police reports were followed up. Two prominent cases were uncovered on 4 August 2026, involving three crime scenes with a total of 2.56 kilograms of methamphetamine as evidence.
“With the uncovering of this case and the thwarting of its distribution, we assume we have saved approximately 14,000 lives from drug abuse,” he said.
On 5 August, the team continued to develop the case and secured 5,665 millilitres, or approximately 5.6 litres, of synthetic liquid narcotics at three crime scenes, located respectively on Jalan Perintis Kemerdekaan, at the Dalton Hotel Makassar, and at the Griya Patri Abdillah Permai housing complex in Gowa.
“From this evidence, we assume that as many as 35,000 lives have been saved from this type of synthetic narcotic,” he asserted.
Regarding the development of the 2.56 kilograms of methamphetamine uncovered, Yudi said investigators are still examining whether the perpetrators received the goods from an international network or from another network.
The main methamphetamine dealer arrested has the initials SY. He initially claimed to be a courier but later admitted to being a dealer. After accumulating capital, the perpetrator purchased 3 kilograms, then split off 1 kilogram for distribution, leaving 2.56 kilograms unsold.
“This methamphetamine suspect has been a courier several times. However, this is the first time he has sold methamphetamine using his own capital. As for the synthetic liquid at the three crime scenes, the initials are MA, JB, and ZZ,” he revealed.
The distribution of both methamphetamine and synthetic liquid, Yudi said, was carried out using a drop-off system, placing the drugs at specific locations after transactions were arranged through social media.
For their actions, the perpetrators are charged under Article 114 paragraph (2) of Law Number 35 of 2009 on Narcotics, in conjunction with Article 609 paragraph (2) letter a of Law Number 1 of 2026 on Criminal Adjustments, carrying a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, a minimum of 6 years, and a fine of at least Rp1 billion.