Inp.polri.go.id - Tangerang.  The Soekarno-Hatta Airport City Sub-regional Police have uncovered an international syndicate producing and distributing vape liquid containing etomidate, a powerful sedative classified as a narcotic. 

Four foreign suspects, identified as MSA (Malaysia), HCH (Singapore), and LX and FJ (China),  were arrested at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport and nearby locations.

“Initial arrests were made after Customs officers found narcotics concealed in soap bottles and candy boxes in the luggage of two passengers arriving from Malaysia,” said Soekarno Hatta Airport Police Chief Senior Superintendent Ronald Sipayung on Friday (18/7/2025), as quoted by antaranews.com. 

The substances included 4.8 grams of marijuana, 12 ecstasy pills, and four “happy five” tablets.

Further investigation led to a home-based vape lab in an upscale Tangerang housing complex, where suspect LX allegedly manufactured 12 vape cartridges containing etomidate, worth an estimated Rp 60 billion (approx. USD 3.7 million). Suspect FJ, arrested in Singkawang, West Kalimantan, was identified as the operation’s mastermind.

The suspects face up to 20 years in prison under the Narcotics and Health Laws.

(mg/inp/pr/rs)