The drug agency has been urged to use corruption laws to fight narcotics distribution. The illegal business is known to be highly profitable and may involve corruption.
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Kompas/Wisnu Widiantoro
President Joko Widodo congratulates Insp. Gen. Heru Winarko after his inauguration as head of the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) on Thursday (1/3) at the State Palace in Jakarta. Heru, who is a former investigation deputy at the Corruption Eradication Commission, replaces Budi Waseso, who is entering the mandatory retirement age.
JAKARTA, KOMPAS – The drug agency has been urged to use corruption laws to fight narcotics distribution. The illegal business is known to be highly profitable and may involve corruption.
Better management is needed at the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) as it faces huge and complex challenges. President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo said he believed the agency would soar to new heights under its new leader.
The President inaugurated Insp. Gen. Hery Winarko as the new BNN chief on Thursday (1/3/2018) to replace Comr. Gen. Budi Waseso, who has retired. Heru is a former deputy of law enforcement at the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). In 2002, he served as Lampung Police chief.
In the first two months in 2018, almost 3 tons of crystal methamphetamine from China was smuggled into Indonesian waters. It was later seized by a joint team of the National Police, Customs Office and the Finance Ministry. Currently, at least 68 new types of narcotics, including flakka and gorilla tobacco, are found in wide distribution and easily accessible by people of all ages.
The President said he specifically hoped for a change in management style at the BNN. “We wish for the BNN to have the good standards that Pak Heru has known well at the KPK. We wish [for better] work standards, organizational governance and most importantly integrity,” the President told reporters.
The President acknowledged that the narcotics business had a huge turnover and might lure public officials to do improper conduct. The President said that he believed Heru would carry out his duties well.
Heru pledged to continue existing policies that had positive results. He also plans to strengthen cooperation with local and foreign stakeholders.
Heru said he was sure he could quickly adapt to his new office. “I spent most of my 33 years in the police force as a detective. I think [my job at the BNN] will be similar. The aspects [of the job] are clearly defined. We will improve prevention initiatives [at BNN],” Heru said.
International network
Experts said Indonesian drug enforcers must be able to penetrate international drug networks in order to eradicate domestic narcotics distribution. The narcotics business is closely linked to massive money laundering spread in many countries, as shown in the recent laundering case involving a drug lord and Rp 6.4 trillion (US$467.2 million).
University of Indonesia’s School of Strategic and Global Studies deputy director Insp. Gen. (Ret.) Benny Mamoto said that Indonesia remained a potential market for international narcotics syndicates. Benny uncovered the Iran-based drug network led by Abbas Kazerouni Rousul when he served at BNN in 2011.
Abbas was arrested in Bangkok, Thailand, in a joint sting operation between BNN and Thai Police. Abbas’ narcotics syndicate dabbled in heroin trade and was linked to the Taliban.
“I asked him why he sought after Indonesia as a market. He said that demand in Indonesia was high, price was good and the law could be bought easily. I was shocked,” Benny said.
Benny said that he also pushed for the strengthening of cross-sector cooperation, including with financial institutions to tackle money laundering.
Separately, University of Indonesia’s Judicial Watch Society (MaPPI) head Choky R Ramadhan said that he hoped Hery would increase BNN’s effort in using Money Laundering Law to eradicate narcotics. Thus far, BNN and the National Police have rarely used money laundering regulations against drug lords and dealers. Drug eradication paradigm is too focused on punitive actions or retaliations.
“This paradigm must be shifted as drug lords and dealers’ motive is financial. The emphasis must be on money-related punishment as the pattern here is similar to corruption, namely to obtain monetary benefits by violating the law,” Choky said.
By using the Money Laundering Law, the state can retrieve larger sum of money. This will enable law enforcers to seize wealth and property in narcotics cases.
Choky said that, in the future, BNN should be focused on aiming large-scale drug lords and producers. Drug users must be rehabilitated.
Alfiana Qisthi from Indonesia Narcotics Victims’ Association’s (PKNI) legal advocacy division said that drug abuse eradication in Indonesia was still focused on tackling criminals and not the crime itself. Drug users are often treated improperly and sometimes even seen as criminals.
Choky added that, due to Heru’s background in KPK, he hopefully could push for corruption prevention and eradication within BNN.
Heru’s performance
KPK deputy chair Basaria Pandjaitan said that Heru had shown progressive performance in the commission in the past two years. He could establish good working relationship with his leaders and colleagues. Heru was involved in many of KPK’s investigation and led more than 30 arrests.
“He is experienced and could energize his team. He has many innovations, including field investigation techniques,” Basaria said.
She continued that she hoped Heru could implement what he had learnt at KPK in his new office. She said that KPK would be open to opportunities for KPK and BNN to work together in anticipating possible corruption in fighting narcotics networks.
BNN spokesperson Sr. Comr. Sulistiandriatmoko said on Thursday that he had not received information on when the handing over ceremony of the BNN chief would be held.
