TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia remains a target of syndicated drug dealers. According to the chairman of the National Narcotics Agency (BNN), Police Comr. Gen. Anang Iskandar, out of 60 entry points throughout Indonesia, only six are manned by well-equipped officials. Kalimantan's border areas are part of those vulnerable and under-guarded frontiers. "That's a red zone," said Anang, in an interview with Tempo last week.
Why is Indonesia such a target of international narcotics syndicates?
There are about 4 million drug users here. The price of drugs is also the most expensive in the world, so Indonesia is targeted by dealers. The supply of drugs depends on demand. If the demand is high, supply is big. It's like the cinemas: if no one comes, the theaters are closed.
Where are the main entry points?
There are many of them, through airports, sea ports and over land. That's not counting the hidden routes and unofficial ports.
What about across border areas?
The most difficult ones [to control] are the areas along the borders in Kalimantan (with Malaysia), (in Papua) with Papua New Guinea and (in West Timor) with Timor-Leste.
Which one is the worst?
Kalimantan bordering Malaysia is the busiest. That's a red zone.
In your view, which one in Kalimantan is the worst?
The most frequently [used] is Entikong in West Kalimantan. Then it's Nunukan in East Kalimantan, and after that Aceh, followed by Jakarta. They tend to go around these places. Let's say from Malaysia they go to Entikong, then through Aceh, they travel overland to Lampung. From Lampung they'll fly to Denpasar first, then on to Surabaya and by train to Jakarta. Their route goes round and round, as they please.
You don't mention Soekarno-Hatta airport.
That's a hellish route for them. Unless it's a new courier, for sure they will not pass through Soekarno-Hatta because of the high possibility of being arrested.
What about volume, are dealers now carrying in retail rather than wholesale amounts?
Yes, that seems to be the way. They carry 2-4 kilograms, based in Malaysia. We have bilateral cooperation with Malaysia, often exchanging information.
Is Malaysia where they process or collect drugs?
Where drugs are gathered. The factories are in other countries, like Iran. The raw materials are cheaper there and there narcotics is not a serious criminal office. There are also factories in China and India, but transit in Malaysia.
There are some in Indonesia too?
In Indonesia the intelligence officials and technology are good, and how we analyze the networks. The syndicates know that if they have factories in Indonesia they're bound to be caught.
But there seem to be syndicates still operating.
There are many active networks. Many of their members are either awaiting death sentences or already executed. But the networks remain, because they own assets here. So far, very few of the drug criminals have their assets confiscated.
What still needs to be done?
There are two paradigms in eradicating [drugs]. First, it's prevention. Second, when they still get away, the dealers must be dealt with the heavy drug offense and that of money laundering. Jailing them and making them poor are heavy punishment.
Can you be more concrete?
We call it interdiction. Guarding border areas with well-equipped personnel. Interdiction officials can come from the customs office, from BNN, the police or even immigration. The problem is that tight security can only be found at seaports, and yet we have long borders. Entry points can be sea and air ports or land border areas.
How many of those well-equipped places are there?
Currently we have six complete interdiction areas, among them in Batam, Jakarta, Denpasar, Manado and Medan. We need to build at least 60 interdiction points throughout Indonesia. But we don't have the budget yet.
Are those 60 places categorized as the most vulnerable?
Yes, that's why they must be reinforced with more personnel and equipment, like Entikong. There is no interdiction there. (*)
