Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. The Jakarta Metro Jaya Regional Police dismantled a clandestine laboratory producing synthetic tobacco inside a central Jakarta apartment on Friday night, seizing over five kilograms of narcotics and specialized manufacturing equipment.

"Our team arrested a 25-year-old suspect, identified as R, who was caught red-handed operating the production site in the Salemba area," said Sub-Directorate 1 Narcotics Chief Senior Inspector Indah Hartantiningrum on Sunday (19/4/2026), as reported by antaranews.com.

Acting on public reports, investigators raided the high-rise unit and uncovered 235 grams of synthetic seeds, raw tobacco, and digital scales alongside chemical precursors. Preliminary findings suggest the syndicate utilized social media platforms to market the illicit substances directly to consumers, bypassing traditional street-level distribution methods.

Metro Jaya Police spokesperson Senior Superintendent Budi Hermanto said that the operation highlights the critical role of community vigilance in identifying suspicious residential activities. The suspect is currently undergoing intensive interrogation at the narcotics headquarters as authorities work to trace the upstream suppliers of the chemicals used in the production process.

(mg/inp/pr/rs)