Jakarta (ANTARA) - Head of the National Narcotics Agency (BNN), Commissioner General Marthinus Hukom, stated that his side successfully identified and exposed 14 international drug syndicates in 2024.
According to Hukom, those networks used air transportation for drug smuggling between countries.
"The Gregor Haas network did it, which is part of the South American drug cartel network, specifically the Sinaloa Cartel based in Mexico," Hukom noted during the press conference in Jakarta on Monday (December 23).
He also remarked that international drug syndicates use ships to smuggle narcotics into Indonesia.
The agency head pointed out that international drug trafficking networks exploit Indonesia's boundaries at sea by utilizing traditional ships constructed from wood and synthetic fibers, a method previously employed by the group from Tawau, Malaysia.
Meanwhile, he stated that the BNN had also thwarted smuggling attempts via land.
"Along the West Kalimantan border, the BNN, along with the Customs and Excise and the Border Security Task Force, have thwarted the smuggling of crystal methamphetamine and ecstasy at various entry points. Around 100 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine and ecstasy were confiscated by securing six Indonesians and three foreigners as suspects," he remarked.
In addition to the international network syndicate involving foreign citizens, his side unveiled narcotics smuggling controlled by Indonesians abroad.
"The concerned person named Dewi Astuti has been included in the wanted list and is still abroad," Hukom remarked.
In this case, the BNN collaborated with the police narcotics departments from other countries and related agencies at home and abroad to hunt down and bring those on the wanted list to Indonesia to be held accountable.
In 2024, the BNN also uncovered 13 national drug syndicates built across islands and provinces. They built networks in cities and villages with members from several ethnicities, religions, languages, and others.
"I ask for the support of our people so that BNN can carry out the task and achieve the national goals," Hukom remarked.
BNN uncovered 14 international drug syndicates in 2024
Selasa, 24 Desember 2024 12:16 WIB
Suspects in a narcotics case at the 2024 end-year press conference and destruction of evidence of narcotics crimes, at the BNN Office, Jakarta, Monday (December 23, 2024). (ANTARA/Rio Feisal/rst)
