Joint police forces in Batam intensify inspections at international ferry ports to stop narcotics smuggling from Malaysia.
The Riau Islands Police (Polda Kepri) have ramped up inspections across Batam’s international ferry ports to block the entry of drugs smuggled from Malaysia. The coordinated operation, involving narcotics, Sabhara, and medical units, marks one of the most aggressive anti-narcotics efforts in the region this year.
Coordinated Inspections at Key Entry Points
On Saturday, October 28, 2025, the Riau Islands Police conducted large-scale raids at three international ferry terminals in Batam — Batam Center, Harbour Bay, and Bengkong. The main goal was clear: prevent narcotics from entering Indonesia through sea passengers arriving from Malaysia. All incoming passengers were required to pass X-ray screening, while K9 units meticulously inspected their belongings.
Malaysia Route Under Tight Surveillance
According to Police Commissioner (Kompol) Feliks Mauk, Head of Operations for the Narcotics Directorate, Malaysia remains the main source of narcotics entering the Riau Islands. “From our experience, most drug evidence uncovered in Kepri originates from Malaysia,” he explained. The operation was launched following directives from Police Chief Inspector General Asep Safrudin, who noted that most drug trafficking cases in the province exploited sea routes as their entry point.
K9 Units on High Alert
To strengthen detection efforts, Polda Kepri deployed seven narcotics-sniffing dogs — five stationed at Batam Center and two at Harbour Bay. The late-afternoon raids, held between 17:00 and 18:00 WIB, targeted the final arrivals of the day, considered a “psychologically vulnerable” time when smugglers might attempt to evade detection. Despite no contraband being found that evening, the coordinated vigilance sent a strong message to traffickers.
Continuous Preventive Operations
The inspection forms part of the police’s ongoing “Enhanced Routine Activity” (KRYD) operations. Similar actions had been carried out earlier that week at Batam’s domestic port in Sekupang, followed by international port inspections on October 25. Although no drugs were seized, these preventive operations aim to disrupt networks and deter future smuggling attempts.
Smuggling Modus via Singapore
Feliks also revealed past cases where narcotics traveled from Malaysia to Singapore before reaching Indonesia. “We once caught a suspect using this route — drugs from Malaysia, then transferred through Singapore,” he said. This cross-border trafficking pattern underscores Batam’s strategic importance in Southeast Asia’s maritime security network.
Strengthening Detection Infrastructure
Kasubdit I of the Narcotics Directorate, Kompol Moh. Komaruddin, emphasized the need to enhance security infrastructure at domestic ports. He proposed installing X-ray scanners at all Batam terminals to ensure tighter monitoring and early detection of smuggling attempts. “It’s important that domestic ports have X-ray systems to improve baggage checks,” he noted.
Crackdown Results Show Progress
Polda Kepri’s Narcotics Directorate has reported a 200 percent increase in case disclosures this year compared to 2024. Most of these cases were linked to sea routes involving Malaysia, reinforcing the urgency of maintaining strict maritime surveillance. Authorities remain confident that consistent operations and technology-driven oversight can reduce narcotics circulation across the islands.
The ongoing crackdown in Batam reflects Indonesia’s strengthened stance against maritime drug trafficking, particularly from Malaysia. With coordinated police operations, K9 deployment, and tighter port surveillance, the Riau Islands are reinforcing their position as a regional model for narcotics prevention. These efforts not only protect Indonesian shores but also contribute to wider security stability across the Singapore Strait corridor.
Sources: Batamnews (2025) , ANTARA News (2025)
Keywords: Batam, Malaysia, Drug Trafficking, Narcotics Operation, Police Inspection, Ferry Ports
