Jakarta (ANTARA) – The Indonesian National Police (Polri) and China’s National Narcotics Control Commission (NNCC) have strengthened their cooperation to uncover transnational drug-smuggling networks involving liquid methamphetamine.
National Police Chief General Suyudi Ario Seto said in Jakarta on Wednesday that cooperation between Polri and the NNCC had helped authorities uncover a clandestine drug laboratory in Pidie District, Aceh.
The laboratory was allegedly used to process liquid methamphetamine into crystal methamphetamine. Authorities initially detained 11 people, with 10 subsequently named as suspects.
The joint operation resulted in the seizure of approximately 1.2 tons of narcotics, including liquid and crystal methamphetamine.
Seto said the cooperation would continue to be strengthened to protect Indonesia and other countries from the threat posed by illicit drugs.
“The Indonesian government, particularly the National Police, is deeply committed to eradicating narcotics in Indonesia. We will also continue to support the Chinese government in uncovering large-scale criminal networks,” he said.
Regarding the ongoing investigation into the laboratory in Aceh, Seto said investigators were pursuing those who allegedly financed the operation.
Meanwhile, Lan Weihong, deputy secretary-general of China’s NNCC, said his agency had uncovered key information in 2025 about a liquid methamphetamine smuggling network operating across Myanmar, Thailand, and Laos.
“Following an intensive year-long investigation, we identified a criminal group that had been transporting liquid methamphetamine from the Myanmar, Thailand, and Laos region and had successfully delivered the substances to Indonesia on several occasions,” Lan said.
In September 2026, the NNCC reported its findings to the Indonesian National Narcotics Agency (BNN).
With support from the NNCC and the narcotics control division of the Royal Malaysia Police, BNN, Polri, and other relevant agencies uncovered a clandestine laboratory used to process liquid methamphetamine in Aceh in October 2026.
Lan said the NNCC had arrested seven people in China in connection with the transnational drug network.
He said the operation in Aceh demonstrated the commitment of China, Indonesia, and Malaysia to combating international drug syndicates.
“We have demonstrated highly professional investigative capabilities, a well-coordinated joint operation, decisive decision-making, and mutual understanding, ultimately enabling us to uncover this case and achieve tangible results,” he said.
Lan also expressed hope that future cooperation between Indonesia and China in combating narcotics would contribute further to public safety and people’s well-being.
The Narcotics Crime Investigation Directorate of the National Police’s Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim Polri) has named 10 suspects in connection with the laboratory in Pidie, Aceh.
They comprise two Chinese nationals and eight Indonesian citizens.
The two Chinese nationals allegedly served as chemists, or “cooks,” responsible for processing liquid methamphetamine into crystal methamphetamine. Indonesian suspects reportedly picked them up in Malaysia before bringing them to Aceh.
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Translator: Nadia Putri Rahmani, Cindy Frishanti Octavia
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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