Medan police seize 93 kg of cannabis after car chase

Medan City Police arrested two men and seized 93 kilograms of cannabis during a high-speed pursuit on AH Nasution Road in Medan, North Sumatra, officials announced Friday. The suspects, identified by their initials K, 30, and AR, 19, are from Aceh Province. The operation took place following intelligence gathered from an earlier raid on a suspected drug den near the Tembung railway corridor. The police operation began with a raid on a suspected drug den located near the Tembung railway tracks, where officers confiscated three kilograms of cannabis and apprehended three individuals. This initial success led to further investigations into a larger drug shipment. Intelligence indicated that a substantial amount of cannabis was being prepared for transport to Tembung for distribution. Based on this information, narcotics officers initiated surveillance starting from Dairi District, which shares a border with Aceh, and tracked the movement of the suspected vehicle towards Medan. During the surveillance, officers identified a vehicle believed to be carrying illicit substances. They followed the vehicle to determine its destination and the intended recipient of the cargo. As the vehicle approached AH Nasution Road, officers noticed the driver appeared to have detected police presence and attempted to evade capture. In response, law enforcement pursued the vehicle, eventually forcing it off the road onto the sidewalk. Despite efforts to escape, the suspects were unable to avoid being intercepted as police effectively blocked all possible escape routes. Upon stopping the vehicle, police conducted a search and discovered 93 packages of dried cannabis, totaling approximately 93 kilograms, stored within five burlap sacks. Preliminary interviews with the detained suspects revealed that the cannabis was intended for delivery to Tembung for further distribution. The operation marked another step in ongoing efforts to dismantle local drug trafficking networks operating in the region. Authorities emphasized that the seizure was part of a broader strategy to target drug traffickers supplying narcotics to Medan. Police chief Rafli Yusuf Nugraha stated that investigations are ongoing to identify additional individuals linked to the drug shipment. “We are still pursuing other suspects whose identities we have identified,” he noted. The continued focus on dismantling such networks reflects the persistent challenge posed by illegal drug trade in the area. Narcotics officers have expressed determination to pursue all leads related to the smuggling activities. “We will catch suspects wherever they try to flee. To the public, drugs are not an option, they are the beginning of ruin,” Rafli added. This statement underscores the commitment of local authorities to combat drug-related crimes and protect community safety. Further operations are anticipated as police expand their efforts to trace the origins of the seized cannabis and identify more participants in the drug trafficking ring. The recent arrests and seizures highlight the effectiveness of coordinated law enforcement actions in disrupting illicit drug supply chains. With ongoing investigations, the possibility of uncovering more extensive networks remains open.