South Sumatra Police Chief Leads Mass Drug Destruction, Commits to Eradication Campaign

Leading the Destruction of Narcotics, South Sumatra Police Chief Irjen Sandi Commits to Eradicating Drugs - Special Report Palembang, VIVA – The commitment to combating the circulation and abuse of narcotics in South Sumatra continues to be intensified in a massive and sustainable manner. The South Sumatra Police has declared total war against the illegal drug trade by destroying evidence seized during investigations from November 2025 to January 2026. The Chief of the South Sumatra Police, Irjen Sandi Nugroho, personally led the destruction of 8,282 grams of methamphetamine and 770 ecstasy pills at the Palembang City Police headquarters. This action serves as a symbol of the state’s determination to break the chain of narcotics distribution that is destroying the nation’s generation. Also present at the event were the Director of Narcotics Investigation at the South Sumatra Police, Kombes Yulian Perdana, the Director of Community Relations at the South Sumatra Police, Kombes Hari Purnomo, and the Head of Public Relations at the South Sumatra Police, Kombes Nandang Mu’min Wijaya. The investigation into this case has seen significant progress after investigators apprehended two foreign nationals from Malaysia who are suspected of being involved in the cross-border narcotics distribution network. In addition, authorities discovered a new method of narcotics distribution in the form of cartridges containing THC and Etomidate. From the initial discovery of 17 cartridges, the investigation has expanded to 91 cartridges. This modern distribution pattern and the involvement of foreign nationals indicate the presence of an international network attempting to use South Sumatra as a transit route and market for narcotics. Sandi emphasised that this threat cannot be taken lightly. “The South Sumatra Police is committed to preventing and eradicating the abuse and illegal trafficking of narcotics,” said Sandi. The Chief of the Palembang City Police, Kombes Sonny Mahar Budi Adityawan, affirmed that they will not stop at the arrest of those involved on the ground. “This investigation is part of a strategy to combat narcotics in a massive and sustainable manner. We will pursue the case until we reach the main controllers of the network, including those outside the jurisdiction of Indonesia. There will be no tolerance for drug lords or couriers,” said Sonny. The success of this investigation is estimated to have saved approximately 66,000 lives from the potential abuse of narcotics. “If calculated based on the amount of evidence seized, we have saved 66,000 Indonesian citizens from narcotics abuse,” he said. He added that the Palembang City Police is strengthening cyber patrols, monitoring distribution routes, and collaborating across agencies to narrow the syndicate’s room for manoeuvre.