The Criminal Investigation Agency of the Indonesian National Police (Badan Reserse Kriminal or Bareskrim), together with the Directorate of Customs and Excise and the Directorate General of Immigration, reported that there have been 6,881 drug crime cases in Indonesia throughout January and February 2025.
The Head of Bareskrim, Commissioner General Wahyu Widada, remarked that while the disclosure of these cases is seen as a success by the authorities, the numbers also indicate that Indonesia remains vulnerable to infiltration by drug networks.
“Our success in uncovering the illicit drug trafficking [in Indonesia] is certainly a source of pride, a success. However, on the other hand, we must also [understand] that Indonesia is still vulnerable [to drug traffickers],” said Widada in a press conference on Wednesday, 5th of March.
Furthermore, Widada elaborated that Indonesia faces significant challenges that must be tackled collectively, particularly to protect the younger generation from the dangers of drugs. He emphasised that eradicating drug-related crimes has become more urgent than ever, as Indonesia is poised to welcome the demographic bonus in 2030 and the Golden Indonesia vision in 2045.
Widada also revealed that out of the 6,881 drug cases, the National Police have confiscated 4.1 tons of illegal narcotics, including 1.28 tons of crystal methamphetamine, 138.7 kilograms of ecstasy, 493 kilograms of marijuana, 3.4 kilograms of cocaine, 1.6 tons of synthetic tobacco, and 659.9 kilograms of other hard drugs.
“Don’t let our golden generation, our young generation, grow and develop amidst the influence of drugs. Of course, [drugs] will endanger the survival of the nation,” asserted Widada.
In a press conference on Thursday, Bareskrim also revealed that it had arrested 9,586 suspects during January and February alone, including four foreign nationals linked to an international narcotics network associated with the notorious Fredy Pratama syndicate. From this drug syndicate alone, Bareskrim secured evidence in the form of 35 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine and 1,015 ecstasy pills.
Fredy Pratama has been on the wanted list as a fugitive since 2014 and is known by the nicknames “Casanova” and “Indonesia’s Escobar.“