Jakarta. The Narcotics Unit of the Makassar Police Department recently busted an international drug ring, seizing over 30 kilograms of methamphetamine and thousands of mephedrone pills in coordinated raids across Makassar, South Sulawesi, and Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi.

In a press briefing at Makassar Police Headquarters, South Sulawesi Police Chief Inspector General Yudhiawan confirmed the suspects’ ties to an international network operated from an undisclosed Indonesian prison. “The operation was controlled by an international network from within a prison,” he said Monday, without specifying the facility's location.

The investigation began with the arrest of two suspects, IS and HR, who were found with 26 sachets containing 64 grams of meth on Jalan Opu Daeng Risadju, Mariso District, Makassar. Police later discovered an additional 2 kilograms of meth hidden in a motorcycle compartment.

The operation then expanded to the Green River View housing complex in Tamalate District, where officers arrested two more suspects, TG and HRP. Authorities seized 6.219 kilograms of meth in red, dragon-emblazoned packages and 8,229 mephedrone pills. Interrogations revealed that these substances had been sourced from Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi.

The investigation further led police to Alam Salsabilah in Puuwatu District, Kendari, where they apprehended two additional suspects, AN and FS, along with two suitcases containing 22 red packages of meth weighing 22.983 kilograms.

Additionally, police have issued a wanted list for four other suspects connected to the network. These include Z, alleged to be a recruiter for drug couriers, and WL, M, and A, who reportedly acted as operators coordinating drug transactions.

Authorities reported that the drugs were shipped from abroad, entering Indonesia through Surabaya, East Java, before distribution to regions including Makassar. The network used secure messaging apps Signal and Zangi to avoid detection.

The six detained suspects face charges under Indonesia’s Narcotics Law, with penalties ranging from six years to life imprisonment or even the death penalty.

With the seizure of 30.2 kilograms of meth and thousands of mephedrone pills—valued at approximately Rp 50 billion—police estimate that the operation potentially saved 160,000 individuals from harm.