By: Ferdinand Gultom*
The eradication of drugs shows high intensity and real synergy among state institutions. The uncovering of four tons of narcotics smuggling within less than two weeks in the waters of the Riau Islands is a strong indicator that the government’s commitment is not merely a slogan but implemented in concrete operations that save millions of lives. The success of the joint task force from the National Narcotics Agency (BNN), Indonesian Navy, Customs, and Police in dismantling two large-scale drug smuggling schemes is an important event worthy of appreciation—not only because of the massive amount of evidence seized but also because this success reflects the effectiveness of national collaboration in combating transnational crime.
Lieutenant General Mochammad Hasan, Secretary of the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, emphasized that the four tons of narcotics secured are equivalent to saving more than 20 million citizens from the threat of drug abuse. This number is not just a statistic but a real representation of efforts to save the future of the nation’s generation. Drug abuse has eroded the pillars of social life, destroyed the potential of youth, and triggered various crimes. Therefore, the success in foiling this smuggling attempt is a concrete step by the state in maintaining social, economic, and national security stability.
The new pattern of drug smuggling via maritime routes shows that international drug syndicates continue to adapt their strategies against law enforcement surveillance. Foreign ships used as transport for illicit goods prove that Indonesia is not only a market but also an operational arena for international syndicates. The involvement of some Indonesian sailors due to economic inducement signals the need to strengthen the welfare of coastal communities. This underscores the importance of government policies to alleviate the economic vulnerability of coastal populations as part of the national strategy against drugs.
On the other hand, the involvement of religious institutions such as the Central Sulawesi Religious Harmony Forum (FKUB) in anti-drug campaigns also demonstrates that the war against narcotics is not only fought through legal channels but also touches the cultural and spiritual realms of society. FKUB Central Sulawesi Chairperson, Prof. Zainal Abidin, stated that drugs are a form of self-inflicted injustice that contradicts the values of faith. This statement is important to highlight as it shows that religion holds a strategic position in shaping collective awareness and strengthening the moral resilience of society against the temptations of drugs.
The cooperation program between FKUB and BNN in disseminating the dangers of drugs to students, while teaching values of religious moderation and tolerance, is an approach worthy of emulation. This strategy combines preventive education based on morality with early awareness, especially in educational environments that are crucial fields for shaping the character of the next generation. Such efforts complement law enforcement operations, making drug eradication more comprehensive and sustainable.
Concern for the dangers of drugs is also demonstrated by various community leaders and legislators. Deputy Chairperson of the North Sumatra Regional House of Representatives (DPRD), Ricky Anthony, asserted that narcotics have become a source of crime that damages social structures down to village levels. He emphasized that the state must always be one step ahead of increasingly sophisticated drug trafficking networks. This statement shows the importance of the role of policymakers at the regional level to also provide regulatory support and adequate budgets for drug eradication efforts in their respective areas.
The arrest of a drug courier in North Sumatra carrying 30 kilograms of methamphetamine shows that drug networks do not only rely on large foreign vessels but also infiltrate through local networks using various methods. This fact reinforces the urgency of government strategies to improve community welfare to break the potential recruitment by drug networks.
The active role of various national elements in drug eradication is a key factor in maintaining state sovereignty from transnational crime infiltration. Firm and measured actions by law enforcement officers, combined with education and collective awareness at the grassroots level, are two sides of the same coin that cannot be separated. In this context, it is important to strengthen early detection systems and inter-agency coordination, as well as expand the reach of rehabilitation for drug abuse victims to prevent deeper entanglement.
The government’s strategic step in forming cross-institutional synergy and making drug eradication a cross-sectoral agenda demonstrates a progressive policy direction. By continuously strengthening cooperation between BNN, TNI, Police, Customs, religious figures, and civil society, Indonesia is on the right track in fighting one of the most dangerous threats to the nation’s future.
Recent successes should become a momentum to accelerate systemic reforms in the governance of drug eradication. These successes can be further strengthened through acceleration of government social programs that address root problems, from education to mental health. An integral approach will strengthen national resilience from within and create an environment hostile to drug trafficking.
Drug eradication is not merely about catching and punishing. It is a long-term and sustainable effort to uphold the nation’s dignity, build collective awareness, and ensure every child of the nation can grow up in a healthy, safe, and dignified environment. When all components of the nation unite in one commitment to make Indonesia drug-free, no threat, however great, can shake the future of this country.
*) The author is a Strategic Issues Observer
