<![CDATA[This study analyzes the legal gap between strict regulations on illegal alcoholic beverages and the implementation of law enforcement in the jurisdiction of Polresta Kupang from 2023 to 2025. Although macro legal instruments (the Food Law and the Health Law) impose severe sanctions on perpetrators, enforcement in the field tends to reduce these offenses to Minor Offenses under local Regional Regulations. As a result, penalties are limited to small fines that lack any deterrent effect. This gap is driven by socio-cultural dilemmas (the role of alcohol in customary practices), cross-regional supply chains that are difficult to dismantle, and the shortage of alcohol detection devices (breathalyzers) for law enforcement officers. From a criminogenic perspective, the uncontrolled distribution of traditional illegal spirits (sopi and moke) constitutes the root cause of public order disturbances. Data shows that consumption of illegal alcohol accounts for 58% of fatal nighttime traffic accidents, triggers 72% of assault and group violence cases (Articles 351 and 170 of the Indonesian Penal Code), and contributes to 65% of Domestic Violence cases. To break this cycle, the study recommends an integrative strategy: a penal policy by prosecuting major distributors under more serious offenses (Article 204 of the Penal Code / Food Law), alongside non-penal measures including revising Regional Regulations to standardize traditional spirits, procuring digital breathalyzers, and involving customary leaders (Usif) in regulating community feasts.]]>
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