BNN Eradicates Vape Containing Addictive Substances

JAKARTA - The National Narcotics Agency (BNN) took action against 1,800 vape units that are ready to be injected with ketamine and ethodidate addictive substances. The vape was sent through the post office and was prevented before it circulated widely.

This was conveyed by the Head of BNN Komjen Pol Martinus Hukom in response to reporters' questions regarding the Singapore government which would prohibit the use of vape following the discovery of the emtodate content in its use.

It is known that the Singapore government has taken firm steps in controlling the circulation of e-cigarettes or vapes. Devices containing dangerous substances such as ethodidates are now categorized as narcotics crimes. This policy was issued following the findings of the health authorities that about a third of illegal vape contain ethomidee, anesthetic substances that can cause hallucinatory effects and damage the organs of the body if misused.

"Indeed, not too many, only 1,800 vapes, but for me that means 1,800 people can be affected," said Head of BNN Komjen Pol Martinus Hukom at the office of the Indonesian National Resilience Institute (Lemhannas) Jakarta, Thursday, August 21.

The follow-up investigation into the shipment of the vape led to the discovery of a largest laboratory suspected of being a production site or modification of vape with psychotropic substances. This finding strengthens the allegation of an organized illegal production network.

In Indonesia, contaminants and ethodidates have not been categorized as narcotics, but are included in the psychotropic group. The effect on awareness and the nervous system makes this substance very risky if misused, especially through media such as vapes that are difficult to detect.

In addition, continued Martinus, his party has instructed all levels of the provincial level BNN to tighten supervision of vape circulation. Coordination with the Ministry of Health and BPOM is carried out to ensure regulations run optimally.

As part of public education, BNN launched a short film and information program so that the public could distinguish between the legal vape and the modified vape with addictive substances.

"We've taken various approaches, including tracking the production of the original and manipulated vape," added Martinus.

Last Wednesday, during an operation in the Central Business District (CBD) area, Singapore officers disguised themselves as ordinary citizens to catch vape violators in disguise. For two days, 18 people were dealt with directly and 82 vape devices were confiscated.

Each violator is fined up to 2,000 Singapore dollars or around Rp. 25 million.

In a state speech, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong asserted:

We will treat this as a drug problem and give a much heavier punishment.

The Singapore government is currently seeking to classify it as a narcotic under the Misuse of Drugs Act, which will have legal consequences equivalent to serious narcotics offenses.

On the other hand, Komjen Pol Martinus Hukom also emphasized that Indonesia does not plan to ban vape as a whole, but rather focus on monitoring and separating between legal use and abuse.

"What I want to emphasize is not a matter of banning. But we must be able to distinguish which vapes are used to smoke and which ones are used by certain groups for crime," said Hukom.

According to him, substances such as contaminants and ethomides that are often misused through vape are categorized as psychotropic in Indonesia, not narcotics. He also highlighted that vape has now become part of the people's lifestyle, as an alternative to conventional cigarettes.

To prevent abuse, BNN has instructed all Heads of Provincial BNN to increase supervision of vape circulation, especially those containing addictive substances.

Coordination is also carried out with the Ministry of Health and the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) to ensure that the liquid vape in circulation does not contain harmful substances.

"We are tracing pure vape production for cigarettes and which has been modified with addictive substances," explained Hukom.

He added that BNN is also working with Customs and Excise to tighten the entry route for vape products to Indonesia, in order to close gaps for criminals.

Previously, the Singapore Government took extreme steps by equitting the use of vapes containing addictive substances with drug cases.

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong stated that vapes containing ethomides will be subject to severe penalties, including fines of up to 2,000 Singapore dollars or around Rp. 25.2 million.

In a National Day speech on Sunday, August 17, PM Wong emphasized that the main danger lies in the content in the vape, not the tool.

"The real danger lies in what is in it," he said.

The official report states that the ethodidate was found in one of three vape users in Singapore.

The effect is quite worrying. The users are seen as staggered, dazed, and are not aware of the surrounding environment.

Even worse, this vape device that contains this substance is difficult to recognize because it resembles everyday objects such as flash drives, pens, or traditional cigarettes.

With this policy, Singapore hopes to protect the younger generation from exposure to dangerous addictive substances and close gaps in vape abuse as a medium for the spread of narcotics.