South Sumatra Police Destroy Rp 2.8 Billion Worth of Narcotics, Save 62,000 Lives

The Drug Investigation Directorate of the South Sumatra Regional Police conducted the destruction of narcotics evidence related to cases uncovered in May 2026. The destruction of narcotics evidence was carried out at the South Sumatra Police Headquarters on Wednesday, 20 May 2026. The evidence came from 29 police reports involving 49 suspects who were apprehended in May 2026. The suspects are believed to have roles as dealers, distributors, and couriers within cross-regional narcotics networks. The seizures span nine jurisdictions in South Sumatra, with the Palembang City Police area recording the highest number of seizures at nine reports. Musi Banyuasin followed with six reports, then PALI and Ogan Ilir with three each. Seizures also occurred in Musi Rawas, Muara Enim, and Banyuasin with two reports each, while Ogan Komering Ulu Timur and Ogan Komering Ilir had one report each. Police also seized narcotics including 4,291.38 grams of methamphetamine, 680 ecstasy tablets, 17,552.85 grams of dried cannabis, and 28 millilitres of etomidate from various cases. Prior to destruction, a small portion of the evidence was set aside for laboratory testing and court proceedings. The total value of the evidence destroyed was estimated at Rp 2,850,916,500 (Rp 2.85 billion). Breakdown: methamphetamine Rp 2.58 billion, ecstasy Rp 179.7 million, etomidate Rp 56 million, and dried cannabis Rp 35.1 million. From the case disclosures, the South Sumatra Police estimate that around 62,393 people have been safeguarded from the threat of drug abuse. The suspects are charged under Article 114(2) and/or Article 132(1) of Law No. 35 of 2009 on Narcotics, bearing penalties up to the death penalty or life imprisonment. Some suspects are also liable under Law No. 1 of 2023 on the Indonesian Penal Code (KUHP). “Pemusnahan barang bukti ini merupakan bentuk pertanggungjawaban publik bahwa seluruh narkotika hasil sitaan benar-benar dimusnahkan sesuai prosedur hukum. Kami berkomitmen penuh melindungi masyarakat Sumatera Selatan dari bahaya dan daya rusak narkoba,” said Kombes Nandang Mu’min Wijaya, Head of Public Relations for the South Sumatra Police. Meanwhile, AKBP God Parlastro Sinaga, Deputy Director of Narcotics, stated that uncovering drug networks is inseparable from public support and active community participation. He urged residents to provide information to the police and warned that synergy between the community and the police is the key to maintaining security in the region.