Police seize 20.19 grams of meth and arrest eight suspects across Tanjungpinang neighborhoods

A coordinated drug crackdown in early June 2025 has exposed a disturbing methamphetamine network in Tanjungpinang, Riau Islands. Police arrested eight suspects, including a married couple, in operations that spanned multiple districts and led to the seizure of narcotics, vehicles, and drug paraphernalia.

Coordinated Arrests Across Tanjungpinang

On June 3–4, 2025, Tanjungpinang police conducted seven raids in three districts—Tanjungpinang Kota, Tanjungpinang Timur, and Tanjungpinang Barat. According to Narcotics Unit Head AKP Lajun Siado Rio Sianturi, these efforts led to the arrest of eight suspects and the seizure of 20.19 grams of methamphetamine (locally known as sabu-sabu).

Among those arrested were SA (29) and his wife MA (37), caught with 11 meth packages and drug paraphernalia in Kampung Bugis. SA admitted ownership of the drugs while MA was reportedly involved in deliveries.

Seven Cases, Eight Suspects

The arrests began with AI (24) in Tanjungpinang Barat, found with four meth packages totaling 1.18 grams. Later that day, police apprehended MN (29) and YM (34) in the same area, with 3.11 and 2.84 grams of meth respectively. In Kampung Bulang, EY (31) was caught with 2.27 grams, while MJ (25) was arrested in Tanjungpinang Timur with 0.84 grams of the substance.

On June 4, authorities apprehended IH (27) in Kampung Bugis with 5.74 grams of meth, the largest single seizure of the operation.

Serious Legal Consequences

Seven of the suspects—AI, SA, MA, MN, YM, EY, and MJ—were charged under Articles 114(1) and 112(1) of Indonesia’s Narcotics Law No. 35/2009. These carry prison sentences of 5 to 20 years and fines up to IDR 10 billion (approx. SGD 800,000).

IH, however, faces harsher charges under Articles 114(2) and/or 112(2), with possible penalties including the death sentence or life imprisonment.

Broad Effort to Disrupt the Network

Police also confiscated two motorcycles, two digital scales, seven mobile phones, and various drug-use tools. AKP Lajun confirmed that all the drugs were sourced within Tanjungpinang and that the search for the primary supplier—the local drug kingpin—is ongoing.

Community Vigilance Urged

Authorities credited public tips for the arrests and urged continued community support to curb drug distribution, especially ahead of high-risk periods like the election season and long holidays.

This case shines a light on the expanding reach of drug networks in secondary cities like Tanjungpinang and the complex roles individuals, including families, may play within them. For Indonesians and observers across the region, the arrests are a stark reminder of the urgent need for coordinated enforcement and community vigilance to tackle narcotics from the ground up.

Sources: Haluan Kepri (2025) , Presmedia (2025)

Keywords: Tanjungpinang Drug Raid, Methamphetamine Arrest, Police Operation 2025, Married Dealers, Drug Syndicate Indonesia, Sabu-Sabu Seizure