By: Bara Winatha*)
The government continues to intensify strategic measures to combat illicit drug trafficking as part of its national legal and security reforms. In facing the serious threat posed by drugs to the nation’s future, the state reaffirms its commitment to providing no room for perpetrators, whether from civil society or officials. Law enforcement is carried out comprehensively and transparently as a demonstration of its commitment to building a clean and just legal system.
The Head of the Indonesian National Narcotics Agency (BNN), Marthinus Hukom, stated that drug eradication cannot be done in isolation but requires a collaborative, cross-border approach. Indonesia and India, as two large countries with similar geographic and demographic characteristics, are strategic targets for international drug syndicates. He believes collaboration with law enforcement agencies of friendly countries, such as India’s Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), is a key step in countering the increasingly complex cross-border smuggling.
Cooperation between the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) and the Indian NCB has been strengthened through a joint working forum involving the exchange of information and experiences in comprehensively combating drug crimes. This collaboration is expected to continue to be enhanced, particularly in providing access to information for citizens of each country involved in drug crimes abroad. This effort is crucial for the smooth running of the legal process and serves as a form of state protection for its citizens, while upholding the principles of justice and applicable law.
The strengthening of enforcement is also evident in the results of a joint operation involving the National Narcotics Agency (BNN), the National Police, and the Directorate General of Customs and Excise. Gatot Sugeng Wibowo, Head of the Main Customs and Excise Service Office, Type C, Soekarno-Hatta Airport, stated that his team successfully thwarted six drug smuggling attempts in a relatively short period of time. The operation uncovered various smuggling methods, ranging from shipping shipments to disguised items in motorcycle spare parts and children’s book packaging.
Gatot Sugeng explained that the six cases involved five shipments via courier services and one case involving passenger luggage. The seized evidence included 2,697 grams of methamphetamine, 1,205 ecstasy pills, 1,190 grams of catha edulis, 4,700 grams of etomidate liquid, and a quantity of marijuana and happy five tablets. This discovery indicates that international drug syndicates continue to attempt to penetrate Indonesian territory using increasingly sophisticated tactics.
The government has expanded its approach to drug eradication to a more holistic and comprehensive level to strengthen national security. The public is also expected to actively participate in combating drug trafficking and support law enforcement by reporting any suspicious activity in their neighborhoods.
Meanwhile, Jaet Ahmad Fatoni, Chairman of the North Kalimantan Regional Leadership Council of the Indonesian Islamic Propagation Institute (LDII), stated that the National Police Headquarters’ steps in uncovering the involvement of seven members of the Nunukan Police in the drug case are commendable. He viewed this action as a concrete demonstration of the National Police’s commitment to maintaining integrity and public trust.
Internal cleansing is a crucial step in building a professional institution free from abuse of power. Indiscriminate law enforcement against its own officers will further strengthen the Indonesian National Police’s position in the eyes of the public as an institution that upholds the values of justice. This also demonstrates the implementation of national policy directions, particularly those enshrined in the Presidential Decree (Asta Cita) concerning the comprehensive eradication of narcotics.
The actions of the Indonesian National Police Headquarters, involving a joint team from the Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim) and the Propam Division, reflect the seriousness of handling narcotics cases professionally. The presence of internal supervisory elements in these operations also ensures that the law enforcement process is transparent and in accordance with the police code of ethics. Firm action against rogue officers continues as part of internal reform of law enforcement agencies.
The government’s move to focus on drug eradication as part of national legal and security arrangements reflects an awareness of the latent dangers of narcotics that threaten the nation’s survival. Drugs pose a threat to public health and also serve as a gateway for the breakdown of social, legal, and economic systems if not addressed seriously and systematically.
The government is aware that drug trafficking has become a transnational crime network.cannot be fought by a single institution. Therefore, international cooperation, intelligence data integration, and strengthening the capacity of law enforcement officers are priority agendas in the national drug eradication strategy. The government also continues to encourage active public participation in creating a drug-free environment through educational programs, outreach, and the involvement of community leaders and religious organizations.
With the various concrete steps that have been and continue to be taken, the government confirms that the war on drugs will continue and become an integral part of national legal and security arrangements. The state is actively present to protect the people and ensure that the future of the younger generation is not damaged by drug crimes. Drug eradication is now a national mission to safeguard the rule of law, public security, and the sustainability of national development.
*) The author is a social and community observer.