Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta.  The National Narcotics Agency (BNN) has identified more than 900 neighborhoods nationwide heavily impacted by drug trafficking, often locally referred to as “kampung narkoba”.

“These drug hotspots, affected by drug networks, total over 900, and we’re making them a priority,” BNN Chief Commissioner General Marthinus Hukom said during a press conference on Friday (1/11/2024).

He explained that drug traffickers exploit economic hardships in these neighborhoods, creating a dependency that entraps residents. The traffickers act as “patrons,” while residents serve as “clients” who rely on them for financial support, creating a protective community around traffickers.

“This patron-client relationship complicates police efforts, as residents may resist enforcement,” Chief Marthinus added, according to antaranews.com.

To disrupt these networks, BNN aims to arrest leading traffickers and provide social and economic support, along with rehabilitation for users, to reduce the influence of traffickers. BNN has been working closely with the Indonesian National Police (INP), which has launched a 100-day initiative to eliminate these drug hotspots nationwide.

(mg/inp/pr/nm)