Indonesia and Russia Strengthen Anti-Narcotics Cooperation

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia’s National Narcotics Agency (BNN) and Russia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs have agreed to intensify cooperation in combating drug trafficking for the 2026–2027 period, with a particular focus on monitoring cross-border networks in vulnerable areas such as Bali.

The agreement was reached during a bilateral meeting in Moscow on June 22–23, 2026. BNN Chief Commissioner Gen. Suyudi Ario Seto emphasized that both countries view narcotics trafficking as a transnational crime requiring joint action.

“This cooperation is expected to break supply chains, restrict international networks, and strengthen community protection from narcotics threats, especially in tourist destinations like Bali,” he said in Jakarta on Saturday, July 4, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

The partnership will include real-time intelligence sharing, tighter coordination between law enforcement and immigration authorities, and enhanced monitoring in high-risk areas.

The cooperation was also prompted by the discovery of Indonesia’s first mefedrone laboratory, which involved Russian nationals. Suyudi stressed that firm measures, including deportation, will be applied to foreign nationals proven to be involved in drug trafficking.

He added that both countries will also strengthen collaboration against digital crime, focusing on capacity building in digital forensics, cyber investigations, and tracking cryptocurrency transactions often used for laundering drug money.

Indonesia and Russia further committed to exchanging information on new psychoactive substances (NPS), including those disguised in electronic cigarettes. Law enforcement efforts will be balanced with public education and prevention programs to reduce demand.

The Indonesian delegation was received by Russian Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Igor Zubov and Director General of Drug Control Ivan Valentinovich Gorbunov.

The agenda concluded with visits to Russia’s Safe City System and forensic laboratories to study surveillance and investigative technologies. ***