From Land to Sea, Tracks of Drug Eradication at the Start of Chief of Police Suyudi's Era

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The early days of General Suyudi Ario Seto's leadership as the Chief of the Indonesian National Police (Kapolri) have been characterized by significant drug busts.

Numerous operations have been conducted, ranging from raids on drug hotspots across different regions to actions against drug distribution in nightlife venues.

Recently, the police, in collaboration with the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) and Customs, uncovered an alleged smuggling operation involving 1.16 tons of hydrochloride ketamine (HCl) transported by the vessel MT Global 168 in the waters off Tanjung Balai Asahan, North Sumatra.

This revelation marks a decisive effort by authorities to trace drug networks, including suspected international smuggling syndicates.

Drug Hotspots Targeted

The crackdown on drug dens began with two operations in Jakarta, specifically in Kampung Ambon and Kampung Boncos, on October 9, 2026.

During these operations, the Narcotics Crime Directorate (Dittipidnarkoba) of the Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim) captured 24 individuals.

Of the total arrested, 16 were secured in Kampung Ambon, Cengkareng, while the remaining eight were apprehended in Kampung Boncos, Palmerah.

A few days after these arrests, the police conducted additional raids on Kampung Ambon.

Several individuals attempting to flee were also apprehended.

In addition to drugs, authorities discovered several sharp weapons (sajam) at the hideouts of the drug dealers.

These weapons are believed to have been intentionally prepared by the suspects to resist and attack officers conducting the raids.

"There are indications of planned attacks, but to prevent this, we secured the sharp weapons," stated Kompol Ardyan Yudo Setyantono, Sub-Director 1 of the Narcotics Crime Directorate of Metro Jaya Police.

Nine Drug Hotspots in North Sumatra

KOMPAS.com/Ridho Danu Prasetyo Raid on a drug den in the Permata Complex area, or Kampung Ambon, Kedaung Kali Angke, Cengkareng, West Jakarta, Thursday (October 15, 2026).

The raid operations also expanded to North Sumatra.

On Sunday (October 11, 2026), the Dittipidnarkoba of the Bareskrim conducted raids in nine areas identified as drug hotspots throughout North Sumatra.