Operational Strategies of the Indonesian Coast Guard in Tackling People Smuggling in Strategic Ocean Regions

In the face of globalization and increasing maritime trade, the Maritime Security Agency of the Republic of Indonesia (Indonesian Coast GuardRI) plays an important role in safeguarding the country's waters, particularly the Makassar Strait, against the threat of people smuggling. This study evaluated Indonesian Coast Guard RI's strategy to combat people smuggling, focusing on personnel capacity building, interagency collaboration, and strict regulatory enforcement. This research uses normative legal research methods, using legislative, conceptual, and historical approaches. It belongs to the category of descriptive research, using secondary data consisting mainly of primary legal material (legislation) and secondary legal material in the form of textbooks and scientific journals on people smuggling. The analysis shows (1) Indonesian maritime security agency by joint operations and interagency synergy, personnel capacity enhancement, security and safety patrol mandate (2) maritime routes poses through analysis of specific incidents, evaluation of countermeasures, utilization of technology and intelligence, (3) evaluation of method and strategy effectiveness through training impact on personnel, interagency collaboration, implementation and regulatory compliance, (4) exploration of new technology potential through advanced surveillance system utilization, integration of artificial intelligence, data driven approaches, (4) analysis of motivations and tactics through analysis of perpetrator motivations, analysis of smuggling and people smuggling tactics. Conclusion of this research is that Indonesian Coast Guard holistic approach, coupled with collaboration with relevant agencies, has positively impacted the reduction of people smuggling incidence. Nevertheless, challenges remain, requiring further research to optimize strategies to more effectively ensure Indonesia's maritime security against the threat of people smuggling