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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Crime & Justice

Indonesian Police Arrest Three for Instagram Drug Sales Targeting Teens

From Tempo · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Outcome reported
  • Indonesian police arrested three suspected drug dealers marketing synthetic tobacco via Instagram.
  • The suspects targeted teenagers and used social media to arrange sales, employing a 'drop-and-collect' method to avoid direct contact.
  • Police seized over 142 grams of synthetic tobacco and multiple mobile phones used for transactions.

Jakarta police have arrested three individuals suspected of distributing drugs through Instagram, with a particular focus on targeting teenagers. The arrests were made in separate operations in West Jakarta and Tangerang.

The arrest began with public information regarding alleged drug abuse in the Kalideres area.

— Komisaris Indah HartantiningrumHead of Sub-directorate 1 of the Directorate of Narcotics Investigation of the Jakarta Metropolitan Police, explaining the origin of the West Jakarta drug bust.

In West Jakarta, police apprehended RJ and AN. The operation began with a tip from the public about drug abuse in Kalideres. Officers found RJ at his home with ready-to-sell synthetic tobacco. RJ then implicated AN, who was also arrested. A search of AN's residence uncovered more synthetic tobacco and phones believed to be used for drug transactions. The suspects allegedly used Instagram to market the drugs and arranged sales through the platform, using a 'drop-and-collect' system to deliver to buyers in West Jakarta.

Separately, in Tangerang, police arrested AL after finding him with significant quantities of methamphetamine, ecstasy, and marijuana. This operation also stemmed from public information about drug dealing in the Benda area. AL was apprehended at his home with the drugs stored in his room. Police stated that the modus operandi involved using Instagram accounts to conduct sales, with a priority on targeting children and teenagers.

Based on the examination results, RJ admitted to obtaining the goods from AN, who was then also secured at his residence.

— Komisaris Indah HartantiningrumDescribing how the investigation led to the arrest of a second suspect in the West Jakarta case.

Authorities seized a total of 142.07 grams of synthetic tobacco, packaged for distribution, along with several mobile phones. In the Tangerang case, police confiscated 72.76 grams of methamphetamine, five ecstasy pills, and 44.85 grams of marijuana. The arrested suspects and all evidence have been taken to the Directorate of Narcotics Investigation of the Jakarta Metropolitan Police for further investigation.

The modus operandi was to utilize Instagram accounts to carry out their actions with targets of all circles and prioritized towards children and teenagers.

— Komisaris Indah HartantiningrumExplaining the marketing and targeting strategy used by the suspects in the Tangerang drug case.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Tempo in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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