Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. The Indonesian National Police (INP) have revealed that several foreign citizens pretended to be tourists as a cover for drug trafficking activities.

"Some suspects indeed pose as tourists," said INP Head of Criminal Investigation Agency Commissioner General Wahyu Widada on Wednesday (5/3/2025), as quoted by antaranews.com.

In addition to fake tourists, he noted that some foreign suspects were directly involved in international drug syndicates. Authorities previously arrested four Malaysian nationals caught smuggling narcotics from Malaysia.

To counter such tactics, the police are collaborating with immigration authorities for tighter monitoring.

Between January and February 2025, law enforcement agencies uncovered 6,881 drug cases, arrested 9,586 suspects—including 16 foreigners from various countries—and seized 4.1 tons of drugs worth Rp2.72 trillion.

Police identified multiple smuggling methods, including overland transport from Sumatra to Java, sea routes via the Golden Triangle and Golden Crescent, courier shipments, and even clandestine drug labs in luxury residences.

(mg/inp/pr/nm)