<![CDATA[Narcotics trafficking is a transnational crime that poses a serious threat to public security and order, particularly in areas with access to waterways. The city of Tanjungbalai, situated at the confluence of the Asahan and Silau Rivers and directly connected to the Strait of Malacca, holds a strategic geographic position but is also vulnerable to exploitation as an entry and distribution route for narcotics. This study aims to identify the strategies employed by the Tanjungbalai City Police (Polres Tanjungbalai) to combat narcotics trafficking via the Asahan River waterways and to assess the effectiveness of these strategies. The study employs a descriptive method with a qualitative approach. Data collection involved interviews, observation, and document analysis, while data analysis proceeded through stages of data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion drawing. The research is grounded in theories regarding the rule of law, state sovereignty, international law, and maritime security, as well as crime control theories encompassing preemptive, preventive, and repressive measures. The findings indicate that the Tanjungbalai City Police's strategy involves preemptive measuressuch as raising awareness among the public, fishermen, and students about the dangers of narcotics; preventive measuresincluding routine patrols, monitoring of illicit entry points ("rat routes"), and coordination with the Water and Air Police Unit (Sat Polairud), Customs, and the National Narcotics Agency (BNN); and repressive measuressuch as arresting perpetrators, inspecting vessels and boats, seizing evidence, and conducting investigations in accordance with applicable laws. While the strategy has yielded positive results in combating narcotics trafficking, its effectiveness faces challenges due to the vastness of the waterways, the proliferation of illicit entry points, limited patrol fleets and personnel, and socioeconomic factors that drug trafficking networks continue to exploit.]]>
