Indonesian Authorities Break Up Drug Rings Ahead of Djakarta Warehouse Project Festival
Indonesian authorities have dismantled multiple drug trafficking networks believed to be planning to distribute illegal narcotics around Djakarta Warehouse Project (DWP), one of Asia’s largest electronic music festivals, in coordinated operations leading up to its 2025 Bali edition.
Coordinated Arrests and Major Seizures
In a press conference on December 22 in South Jakarta, officials from the National Police’s Criminal Investigation Agency announced that investigators had broken up six syndicates and arrested 17 suspects allegedly connected to the planned drug distribution at or around the DWP festival.
Police said the arrests occurred across Jakarta, Surabaya, and Bali, indicating networks operating regionally and potentially across provinces. The substances seized in the operation included:
- 31 kilograms of methamphetamine
- Nearly 1,000 ecstasy pills
- Ketamine, cocaine, MDMA, marijuana
- Other synthetic drugs often found in club and festival settings
Authorities estimated the total value of the seized drugs at approximately 60.5 billion rupiah (around $3.9 million USD). Officials also noted that seven additional suspects remain on the police’s wanted list as the investigation continues.
Police Strategy Amid Festival Security Concerns
The crackdown was described as part of a broader drug mitigation strategy designed to prevent narcotics from circulating at large events hosted in Indonesia. Police acknowledged that security measures during past editions of DWP had drawn criticism, a point that factored into the intensified efforts ahead of the 2025 festival.
Festival Context: What Is Djakarta Warehouse Project?
The Djakarta Warehouse Project, often abbreviated as DWP, is one of Southeast Asia’s most prominent electronic music festivals, drawing tens of thousands of fans each year and featuring a mix of international and regional artists.
The 2025 edition took place from December 12–14 at Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park in Bali, with a lineup that included major performers such as Calvin Harris, Skrillex, Charlotte de Witte, and FISHER.
What Happens Next
The suspects will face prosecution under Indonesia’s strict narcotics laws, which carry heavy penalties for trafficking and conspiracy. Police have emphasized that the operation was meant to serve as a benchmark for security planning at future national and international events.
