HOLOPIS.COM, JAKARTA – An Indonesian lawmaker has called for a deeper investigation into the attempted smuggling of nearly 1.3 metric tons of ketamine in the Riau Islands, urging authorities to uncover the masterminds behind the alleged trafficking network.
Bimantoro Wiyono, a member of Commission III of the House of Representatives (DPR RI) from the Gerindra Party, praised the joint operation involving the National Narcotics Agency (BNN), the National Police’s Criminal Investigation Department (Bareskrim), the Directorate General of Customs and Excise, and the Indonesian Navy.
Authorities seized approximately 1,298 kilograms of ketamine in the operation.
“I appreciate and fully support the BNN’s swift action in uncovering the smuggling of nearly 1.3 tons of ketamine. This is not a small matter. Such a large quantity indicates a serious threat from illicit trafficking networks that we must fight together,” Bimantoro said Monday (Aug. 10, 2026).
DPR Calls for Trafficking Network to Be Uncovered
Bimantoro urged authorities not to stop at arresting individuals allegedly involved at the operational level. He called for investigators to trace the broader network, including those suspected of financing, controlling, supplying, receiving, and distributing the illicit substance.
“Do not stop with the people on the ground. Uncover the network down to its roots. Who financed it, who controlled it, where the substance came from, who was supposed to receive it, and where the network intended to distribute it must all be thoroughly investigated,” he said.
According to Bimantoro, drug and psychotropic trafficking networks generally operate in an organized manner.
He also highlighted maritime routes as a potential vulnerability that could be exploited by criminal syndicates to smuggle illicit substances into Indonesia.
For that reason, he said the ketamine seizure should be followed by comprehensive mapping of the wider trafficking network.
Lawmaker Urges Tighter Monitoring of Sea Routes
Bimantoro also called for tighter surveillance at locations that could potentially be used as entry points for illegal goods. These include maritime routes, ports, coastal areas, and points of entry for goods from abroad.
He said stronger coordination between the BNN, National Police, Customs and Excise, Indonesian Navy, and other relevant agencies would be crucial to limiting the operating space of trafficking networks.
“We must strengthen surveillance of the networks and all routes that could potentially be used for smuggling. We must not allow today’s success to merely stop one shipment while the larger network remains free to operate and find new routes,” he said.
Ketamine Use in Vapes Raises Concern
Beyond smuggling routes, Bimantoro also highlighted emerging methods of ketamine abuse.
He raised concerns that ketamine could potentially be modified or mixed into electronic cigarette or vape liquids, which he said could make the substance more difficult to detect and potentially expose younger people to its misuse.
