Indonesia's Navy boosts PNG border patrols to curb drug smuggling

 Indonesia’s navy has intensified patrols along its maritime border with Papua New Guinea, deploying warships and surveillance assets to curb smuggling and assert sovereignty in waters long vulnerable to cross-border crime, a senior commander said Saturday.

Major General Werijon, commander of the Jayapura-based Naval Regional Command X, said Indonesian warships now routinely patrol border waters to deter criminal activity and reassure coastal communities.

He said the navy is committed to safeguarding all Indonesian waters, particularly sensitive frontier zones with Papua New Guinea, where geography and limited access have enabled illegal trade.

Patrols involve not only Indonesian Navy vessels, known as KRI, but also supporting maritime surveillance assets to widen coverage and improve operational reach, Werijon said.

The navy is coordinating closely with other security units to prevent border waters from being exploited by smugglers, stressing that inter-agency cooperation is key to sustained maritime security.

“Patrols continue so our waters remain safe from the smuggling of illegal goods, including narcotics such as marijuana,” Werijon told reporters in Jayapura, Papua.

He said a visible and consistent naval presence is designed to disrupt smuggling routes, strengthen law enforcement at sea, and reinforce Indonesia’s authority along its eastern frontier.

Werijon spoke on the sidelines of a joint sports event held ahead of Dharma Samudra Day on January 15, which commemorates Indonesia’s naval history and fallen sailors.

The event was attended by Papua police chief Inspector General Patrige Renwarin, Papuan People’s Assembly chair Nerlince Wamuar, and officials from regional government bodies.

Representatives from Bank Indonesia’s Jayapura office and Cenderawasih University also took part, highlighting coordination between security forces, civil authorities, and community leaders.

Indonesia’s land and sea border with Papua New Guinea stretches more than 700 kilometers, much of it dense forest, making it prone to cross-border crimes, especially drug trafficking.

Police say traffickers frequently exploit remote land trails and coastal routes to evade detection, and move narcotics into Indonesia’s easternmost provinces.

In September 2025, for instance, Papua police announced the seizure of 19 kilograms of cannabis smuggled from Papua New Guinea, arresting 15 PNG nationals across multiple locations.

Earlier cases include a July 2025 military patrol near Skofro village that intercepted 128 marijuana packages, and several major seizures in 2024 involving sea-borne smuggling attempts.

Authorities say cannabis remains illegal in Indonesia, with traffickers facing long prison sentences or the death penalty, and continue urging border communities to report suspicious activity.