Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — South Kalimantan police recently conducted a major operation, uncovering a large international drug syndicate and seizing 70.76 kilograms of methamphetamine.
The operation, led by South Kalimantan Police Chief Inspector General Winarto, has drawn attention from Indonesia’s National Police Criminal Investigation Unit (Bareskrim) due to the scale and reach of the network involved.
The case began with the arrest of a suspect, identified as AR, on September 26, 2024, at a hotel lobby in Banjarmasin Utara. Police seized 8 large packages and 13 smaller packages of meth from AR, totaling over 9.1 kilograms. This arrest provided critical leads, prompting the police to further investigate the network.
On October 3, 2024, the investigation led to the arrest of another key suspect, MM, at a residence in Banjarmasin Utara. MM was believed to be an associate of Freddy Pratama, a notorious drug lord who is currently on Interpol’s most-wanted list.
MM reportedly operated meth distribution routes across major Indonesian cities, including Jakarta, Surabaya, and Bali. During the arrest, police also found drug paraphernalia and 0.02 grams of meth at MM’s residence, suggesting active involvement in drug use and distribution.
Further interrogation of MM revealed plans for the transport of a large quantity of meth using a white Mitsubishi Triton truck. On October 8, 2024, police stopped the truck near Banjarmasin. Upon inspection, they discovered 51.3 kilograms of methamphetamine concealed in a hidden bunker within the vehicle’s back seat. In addition, police seized 9,560 ecstasy pills with logos of luxury brands like Rolls Royce and Owl.
The operation continued on October 10, 2024, when police arrested another suspect, SA, at a house in Banjarmasin Timur. The house, believed to be a storage facility, contained an additional 10.3 kilograms of meth, bringing the total drug haul to over 70 kilograms.
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All suspects face serious charges under Indonesia’s strict narcotics laws, with potential penalties including life imprisonment or even the death penalty. The involvement of an international syndicate, with ties to one of Southeast Asia’s most wanted drug lords, underscores the growing threat of drug trafficking in the region.
This large-scale bust highlights the Indonesian government’s ongoing efforts to combat drug-related crimes and dismantle international trafficking networks.
(Becky)
