Kepri Police Arrest 2 Women Carrying 78 Vape Etomidate

BATAM - The Riau Islands Regional Police Narcotics Investigation Directorate (Ditresnarkoba Polda Kepri) arrested two women who carried 78 pieces of cartridges of e-cigarettes (vapes) containing e tomidate.

"Starting from community information, we arrested two women with initials RI and AZ who were carrying narcotics of type II liquid vape containing etomidate," said the Director of Narcotics of the Riau Islands Police, Kombes Pol. Anggoro Wicaksono in Batam, Wednesday, December 24.

He explained that the two women were secured by the investigation team of Subdit II Ditresnarkoba Polda Kepri around Batu Ampar, Batam City on Tuesday (23/12) at 20.30 WIB.

When secured, officers conducted a search and found the two carrying 78 vape cartridges containing etomidate.

"The vape carried by the two suspects, which reads Yakuza, comes from Malaysia," he said.

The second way the suspects carried the 78 pieces of etomidate vape cartridges was by slipping them into the stomach loop to deceive the port officers.

The mid-level police officer said the case was still under investigation to find out the network and the origin of the etomidate vape.

"The operational team of Subdit II Ditresnarkoba Polda Kepri has secured and brought the suspect to the Police Headquarters for further investigation," he said.

Previously, on Thursday (27/11), the Kepri Police Narcotics Division thwarted the circulation of 150 pieces of electronic cigarette liquid (Vape) suspected of containing etomidate in Batam City.

Officers arrested the perpetrator with the initials WS when he came out of the parking gate at Harbour Bay, Jodoh River Village, Batu Ampar District, Batam City.

In the security, the investigators searched the perpetrator and his vehicle, 150 pieces of vape with the trademark Yakuza were found.

Based on data from the Kepri Police Narcotics Division for the period from January to October 2025, 4,711 pieces of evidence of vape containing etomidate and 5.7 kg of MB 4 EN Pinaca have been secured.

On Wednesday (29/10), National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo revealed a new trend in the use of drugs that use dangerous compounds. The trend, he said, is the use of ketamine which is inhaled through the nose and etomidate which is mixed with liquid and sucked using pods (vape).

The Indonesian government has determined that etomidate is in the category of narcotics. This is stated in the Minister of Health Regulation (Permenkes) Number 15 of 2025 concerning the Change in the Classification of Narcotics. And Permenkes Number 14 of 2025 concerning the Determination and Change in the Classification of Psychotropic Substances.