"I swear, Sir. I'm just a messenger," Vita said, her voice trembling, her eyes welling up. The young woman sat in front of Naufal, her body tense, her hands clenched tightly in her lap. She was only nineteen years old, a college student caught red-handed carrying 2.4 kilograms of methamphetamine in her bag. Ironically, her beautiful face, perfectly made up with expensive skincare, now looked pale under the interrogation lights. She stared at Naufal without blinking, hoping for a glimmer of compassion in the young policeman's eyes. A hope that was perhaps too naive.
Naufal patiently observed Vita. He saw genuine fear behind the heavy makeup and striking appearance. However, he also saw cunning hidden behind those sorrowful eyes. He knew that Vita's story wasn't entirely honest.
"Kak Maya told me to do it," Vita added, her voice almost inaudible. She bit her lower lip, as if holding back tears that threatened to spill. "I was short on tuition money, Sir. My tuition money was used for many things... necessities."
Naufal frowned. "What necessities?" he asked, his voice firm but still polite. He pointed to photos of Vita partying in luxury nightclubs, shopping in famous malls, and posing in expensive restaurants that were scattered on the monitor in front of him. "You look like you're going in and out of expensive eateries, malls with celebrity style. You used the tuition money that your parents worked so hard to earn to live extravagantly?" A tone of annoyance began to creep into his voice.
Vita looked down. She knew that her appearance had been deceiving herself all along. She had been trapped in a circle of hedonism that was difficult to escape. "I... I needed money, Sir," she replied softly. "Kak Maya promised a lot of money if I was willing to help her."
"What kind of help?" Naufal asked, his eyes sharply observing Vita's every move.
Vita sighed deeply. She told everything, starting from how she met Maya, a beautiful and influential woman who always looked glamorous, to how she became entangled in a drug trafficking network. Maya, with her sweet persuasions and flattery, had blinded Vita to the danger that lurked. Maya promised a luxurious life, free from financial difficulties, as long as Vita was willing to be her courier. Accumulated tuition fees, ballooning debts, and the desire to live luxuriously had blinded Vita to the risks she had to bear.
"Are both of your parents still alive?" Naufal asked.
"Just my mother. My father died when I was 5 years old."
"What does your mother do for a living?" Naufal asked.
"Laundry worker," Vita lowered her face.
"Your mother works hard to pay for your tuition and this is how you repay her??" Naufal's tone of voice rose.
"Sir," Aretha looked at Naufal.
She had never seen Naufal so angry at a suspect.
Naufal sighed.
"Where did you meet Maya?"
"Through a friend, Sir. I've already provided the data."
"So you've never met Maya in person?"
"No, Sir."
"Really? Not lying?"
"I wouldn't dare to lie, Sir."
"Don't you feel sorry for your mother?" Naufal asked.
Vita cried.
"I... I'm scared, Sir," Vita sobbed. "I don't know what to do. I just want to live in peace, be able to study in peace, and make my parents happy. By selling this, I can help my mother's finances. So my mother won't be too tired."
Naufal listened patiently. He understood the dilemma Vita was facing. He knew that Vita was just a victim of a drug trafficking network that was so strong. However, he also knew that Vita had to be responsible for her actions.
"Vita," Naufal said, his voice softer now. "I understand your situation. But, you have to understand, what you did was wrong. You're carrying contraband that can harm many people. Do you know the risks?"
Vita nodded, tears streaming down her face. She regretted her actions. She regretted being lulled by Maya's sweet promises. She regretted betraying her mother's trust.
"I... I regret it, Sir," Vita said, her voice sobbing.
Naufal sighed. He knew that Vita's regret was sincere. However, the law is the law. He couldn't just let Vita go.
"I will give you a chance to cooperate with us," Naufal said. "Tell us everything about Maya and the network involved. If you are willing to help us uncover this network, I will consider reducing your sentence. The point is, be honest."
Vita was silent for a moment, thinking about Naufal's offer. She knew that this was her last chance to correct her mistakes. She had to choose between her bleak future behind bars, or the opportunity to atone for her mistakes and rebuild her life.
"Okay, Sir," Vita replied, her voice firm. She wiped her tears and looked at Naufal with a determined look. "I will cooperate with you."
Naufal nodded, a faint smile etched on his lips. He knew that the struggle was not over. There were still many things to be revealed, many people to be processed. However, with Vita's testimony, he was sure that he would be able to dismantle the drug trafficking network that had ensnared many victims, including Vita herself.
Vita began to tell details about Maya's network, from how they operated, who was involved, to their hiding places. She told how Maya cunningly recruited young people who were economically vulnerable, offering the lure of money and a luxurious lifestyle as bait. She told how Maya was always careful and cunning in every action, cleverly avoiding police supervision.
Naufal listened carefully, noting every detail of information Vita gave. He also asked several questions to clarify some things that were still unclear. Vita answered honestly and in detail, showing her seriousness to cooperate with the police.
After hours of talking, Vita finally finished. She felt relieved, as if a heavy burden had been lifted from her shoulders. She hoped that her cooperation with the police could reduce her sentence and give her a chance to start a new life.
Naufal looked at Vita with appreciation. He knew that Vita's struggle was not over. She still had to face a long and difficult legal process. However, with her willingness to cooperate, Vita had shown sincere regret and determination to correct her mistakes. That was the most important thing. Naufal was sure that with Vita's help, he would succeed in dismantling Maya's network and saving many people from the clutches of drugs. The long struggle had just begun. He had to ensure that justice was served and the perpetrators were punished according to their actions. And Vita, hopefully she could get a chance to start a new and better life.
Naufal's cell phone rang, a call from an unknown number.
"Hello," Naufal greeted.
"Ipda Naufal Hasbi," a woman's voice said.
"Who is this?"
"Cherish your youth, Ipda. Naufal. You will regret it if you continue to dare to roll up our actions. Submit a transfer letter and move from that division."
"Maya??" Naufal guessed.