Marijuana Courier Sentenced to 20 Years for 56kg Haul in Medan

A panel of judges at the Medan District Court in North Sumatra has sentenced Hendra Gunawan (38) to 20 years in prison and a fine of IDR 1 billion, with an alternative of 190 days imprisonment, for his role as a courier of 56.13 kilograms of marijuana. Chief Judge Eliyurita cited the defendant's actions as disturbing to the community and potentially damaging to the nation's future generations as aggravating factors. The court also considered the mitigating factor that the defendant is the sole breadwinner for his family. The sentence is lighter than the prosecutor's demand for life imprisonment. According to prosecutor Nurliza Fitriyani, Gunawan was arrested by the North Sumatra Regional Police Narcotics Investigation Directorate on September 23, 2025, in Medan Tembung District. Subsequent investigations led to the seizure of 56.13 kilograms of marijuana from the residence of a fugitive identified as Paisal. The defendant stated that the marijuana was collected from the East Penyabungan District in Mandailing Natal Regency and was intended for delivery to another fugitive, Fuhruzen. Gunawan admitted to being promised a wage of IDR 700,000 per kilogram if the delivery was successful. Both the defendant and the prosecutor's office have appealed the verdict. Source: VOI English