inp.polri.go.id - Bandung. The Bandung Sub-regional City Police, have uncovered a method of marijuana abuse involving brewing it like tea, following the discovery of approximately 12 kilograms of marijuana suspected to have been brought in from within the correctional facility.
Bandung Sub-regional City Police Chief, Senior Superintendent Tri Suhartanto, stated that the case stemmed from information from the public, which was then followed up by the police, leading to the arrest of a man identified as AR (27).
"After we arrested the perpetrator, we discovered that he also consumed marijuana by brewing it like tea and then drinking it," he said in Bandung on Friday (10/30/2026).
Officers apprehended AR at a rented house in Citamiang Kidul Hamlet, Cangkuang Kulon Village, Dayeuhkolot District, Bandung Regency, on Wednesday (10/28/2026) at around 7:00 p.m.
From the location, police confiscated two plastic bags containing dried stems or twigs suspected to be marijuana, a teapot containing a similar substance, a joint of marijuana, and a cell phone.
He stated that the discovery was concerning because marijuana is not only consumed by burning but can also be abused by processing it to resemble everyday beverages.
"The public must also know this new method, where what was thought to be tea turns out to be brewed tea containing marijuana," he said.
Based on the investigation, AR admitted that he was ordered by someone with the initials ALF alias BU, who is suspected of controlling drug trafficking from within the prison, to retrieve and store the marijuana packages as instructed.
Officers then investigated the case and went to a location on Kiara Condong Road No. 411, Kiaracondong District, Bandung City, on Thursday (10/29/2026) at around 4:00 a.m. and found a purple suitcase containing 12 packages of marijuana weighing approximately 12 kilograms.
He stated that the suspect was promised or received a wage of IDR 2 million per kilogram to do the job, with the estimated market value of the marijuana evidence estimated at around IDR 250 million.
The police are continuing their investigation to uncover the supplier, recipient, and network controlling the distribution of the marijuana.
Suspect AR is being charged under Article 114 paragraph (2) and Article 111 paragraph (2) of Law Number 35 of 2009 concerning Narcotics, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years' imprisonment.
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