Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. The Soekarno-Hatta Airport Sub-regional Police have uncovered an international syndicate distributing vape cartridges filled with the powerful anesthetic etomidate, valued at Rp42.5 billion (around US$2.6 million).

“So far, we’ve arrested four suspects, consisting of three Malaysian citizens and one Indonesian,” said Soekarno-Hatta Police Chief Senior SUperintendent Ronald Sipayung during a press conference in Jakarta on Wednesday (12/11/2025).

Authorities seized 8,500 vape packages containing etomidate in operations across Tangerang and Central Jakarta. The investigation revealed the network was allegedly controlled by a fugitive identified as B, based in Malaysia.

“With this operation, we’ve potentially saved 34,000 lives from the misuse of dangerous drugs,” said Assistant Senior Inspector Michael Tandayu, the Head of the Narcotics Unit at the Soekarno-Hatta Airport Police.

The suspects face up to five years in prison or fines of Rp500 million under the Health Law.

(mg/inp/pr/rs)