No Longer Just A Lifestyle, BNN Finds New Type Of Drugs Disguised Into Vape Pods Form
JAKARTA - The National Narcotics Agency (BNN) of the Republic of Indonesia revealed the circulation of new types of drugs disguised in the form of e-cigarette liquids (vape pods). This disclosure began with the failure of two packages of narcotics shipments from Malaysia and France.
Head of BNN Komjen Martinus Hukom said officers managed to thwart the shipment of synthetic marijuana type MDMB-4en-PINACA in the form of a liquid weighing 80 milliliters, as well as a vape pod from Malaysia to Pandeglang, Banten.
In addition, officers also revealed the shipment of 3 kilograms of powdered ketamine from France aimed at Bogor, West Java. The contaminant is thought to have been processed into liquid for vape. During the raid, officers found 1,860 electric cigarette cartridges containing liquids containing contaminants.
"The discovery of some of these cases shows that the development of new psychoactive substances whose effects resemble narcotics takes place very quickly and starts massively in Indonesia," said Martinus at a press conference at the BNN Office, Jakarta, Friday, August 22, 2025.
He emphasized the importance of new regulations specifically regulating the use of psychoactive substances in e-cigarettes to protect the public from the risk of abuse.
Acting Deputy for Eradication of BNN RI, Budi Wibowo, explained that the first case was revealed on August 7, 2025 when BNN collaborated with Customs and Excise to detect suspicious packages from Malaysia.
The officers then carried out a control delivery technique to the destination address in Pandeglang and arrested two suspects, namely RSR and M, on August 9, 2025.
Meanwhile, the case of methamphetamine from France was revealed on August 19. Two suspects, with the initials JA and XZ, were arrested in Bogor. At the suspect XZ's house, officers found thousands of cartridges containing methamphetamine ready for distribution.
This cartridge is used for e-cigarettes. If it is not prevented, it will be very dangerous for the younger generation because it looks like an ordinary vape," said Budi.
As a further step, BNN has confiscated and tested hundreds of electric cigarette brands circulating in the Indonesian market. A total of 187 samples have been collected and tested in the BNN laboratory.
"Of the 187 samples, 107 have been released, and the rest are still in the testing process," said Budi.
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BNN terus mengembangkan penyelidikan untuk memastikan zat psikoaktif baru ini tidak semakin meluas penggunaannya di masyarakat melalui celah industri vape.
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BNN continues to develop investigations to ensure this new psychoactive substance does not further expand its use in the community through the vape industry gap.