Polda Metro Jaya Busts International Etomidate Laboratory

JAKARTA - The Narcotics Investigation Directorate of the Metro Jaya Police has dismantled a clandestine laboratory (clandestine lab) for the manufacture of international networks of narcotics of the II class jenisetomidate in the Tangerang and North Jakarta areas.

Director of Narcotics Investigation of the Metro Jaya Police, Kombes Ahmad David, explained that the disclosure of the case began with an action in the Tokyo Riverside Apartment, Tangerang Regency, Banten, which was then developed into the Gold Coast Apartment in the Penjaringan area, North Jakarta on Sunday (9/8).

"In this operation, we arrested a foreign citizen (WNA) from China who acted as a maker and distributor," said David, quoted by ANTARA, Friday, August 14.

The perpetrator is known to have been operating for about a month and has distributed at least 15,000 vape cartridges containing etomidate in the legal jurisdiction of the Polda Metro Jaya.

"In this action, officers seized evidence in the form of 350 pieces of etomidate cartridges for use and 2.8 kilograms of raw materials for their manufacture," he said.

Ahmad explained that the raw materials of 2.8 kilograms were estimated to be processed into about 14,000 units of vape cartridges containing nicotine. Based on the results of the examination, the raw materials were imported from Vietnam.

Regarding the modus operandi, the perpetrator disguised the laboratory by designing a certain room in the apartment room to look like a normal residence.

"Marketing is carried out using a drop point and drop box system, while transaction communication uses social media," said Ahmad.

"Currently, the suspect and all the evidence and supporting tools for production have been secured at the Ditresnarkoba Office of the Polda Metro Jaya for further examination and legal process," he said.