inp.polri.go.id - Batam. The Indonesian National Narcotics Agency (BNN) has uncovered a smuggling network for vape cartridges containing etomidate from Malaysia, entering through Batam, Riau Islands (Kepri), after conducting raids at four locations.
BNN Deputy for Eradication, Aswin Sipayung, stated that in a joint operation on Tuesday (7/28/2026), officers arrested seven suspects and confiscated hundreds of vape cartridges containing etomidate and various other narcotics.
"The vape cartridges containing etomidate and etomidate liquid in bottles are suspected to have been transported from Malaysia to Batam via the illegal sea route. This route was chosen to evade inspection and minimize the possibility of detection by law enforcement," Aswin said in Batam on Friday (7/31/2026).
He explained that the raid revealed a series of organized syndicate activities, from smuggling, processing, to marketing the narcotics.
A joint team conducted raids at four different locations in Batam City: the Teluk Tering area, a hotel in Baloi, an apartment in Teluk Tering, and a boarding house in Batu Ampar.
Officials arrested the suspects identified as BAP in the first location; ED, NC, and TFS in the second location; TFS in the third location; and AJ and DA in the fourth location.
In addition to arresting the suspects, officers seized evidence including 170 vape cartridges containing etomidate, 12 vials of etomidate weighing a total of 226 grams, 1,076.18 grams of MDMA powder, 50 grams of methamphetamine, 10 ecstasy pills, 86 Happy Five (H5) pills, and 25.6 grams of ketamine.
Officers also seized 88 vape devices, nine methamphetamine smoking devices, three plastic presses, six digital scales, and etomidate cartridge packaging suspected of being used to support drug trafficking activities.
Aswin explained that the syndicate used various disguises to evade officers. Vape cartridges and methamphetamine were hidden inside dry food packaging and sachets before being distributed to customers.
The BNN is also still pursuing two foreign nationals, identified as SL and WKC, who are suspected of being the main suppliers of vape cartridges containing etomidate and methamphetamine to the perpetrators in Batam, who then processed, repackaged, and marketed them.
The suspects are being charged under Law Number 35 of 2009 concerning Narcotics, in conjunction with provisions in the new Criminal Code, which carries a penalty ranging from six years' imprisonment to life imprisonment or the death penalty, and a fine of between Rp1 billion and Rp10 billion.
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