(KPL/VNA)Women accounted for around 10% of suspects in drug-related cases in Indonesia over the past three months, according to the National Narcotics Agency (BNN).

During that period, authorities arrested 285 suspects in 172 trafficking cases uncovered through joint surveillance with the Customs and Excise Office at major entry points, including ports, airports and interprovincial routes, Jakarta Post reported.

Seized evidence included 300 grammes of methamphetamine, 370 grammes of marijuana, 6,000 ecstasy pills and various other illicit substances.

Of the total suspects, 29 were women, most of them housewives, who had been deceived by syndicates into working as couriers between islands and provinces, BNN head Gen. Marthinus Hukom said.

Minister of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection Arifatul Choiri Fauzi said that women are being exploited in drug distribution networks, often lured by economic promises.

Although women’s involvement in the drug trade is not new, the National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) noted that the trend is increasing and often reflects deeper and systemic exploitation.

These women are frequently targeted by male traffickers, some of them foreigners, who lure them with sweet talk or false promises, Sundari Amir from the commission said, adding many victims may have limited legal awareness or language skills, making them even more vulnerable.

The Indonesia Criminal Justice Reform (ICJR) criticised current drug policies for overlooking women’s vulnerabilities, arguing that the country’s punitive approach under the 2009 Narcotics Law fails to protect those most at risk. Meanwhile, BNN spokesperson Brig. Gen. Sulistyo Pudjo Hartono insisted that women involved in drug cases are not always innocent victims but knowingly commit these crimes.

KPL