Strategi Komunikasi Penyidik Kepolisian Dalam Mengungkap Peredaran Obat Ilegal Di Kota Mataram

This study aims to examine the communication strategy of West Nusa Tenggara Police investigators in uncovering the circulation of illegal drugs in Mataram City. The communication strategy applied by police investigators is organisational communication with related institutions, namely the Food and Drug Administration and the Trade Office. Based on the results of the research, it was found that cases of illegal drug distribution in Mataram City have reached an alarming level with a significant increase in the number of cases, variations in the types of drugs in circulation, and increasingly sophisticated modus operandi. The data shows an increase in cases from 1,234 in 2022 to 1,450 in 2023. This problem not only impacts individual health but also triggers other criminal acts, damages market competition, and affects people's work productivity. The Trade Office sees it from the perspective of consumer protection and market stability, where illegal drugs sold at lower prices undermine healthy competition and endanger consumers because their quality and safety are not guaranteed. The Mataram Food and Drug Administration emphasised that illegal drugs pose a serious threat to public health as they are often produced without clear standards, contain hazardous ingredients, and are not guaranteed to be safe.