It Is Proven That There Are Still Many Hoarders Of Drugs And Oxygen Cylinders, The Police Arrest 37 Suspects

JAKARTA - The National Police's Criminal Investigation Unit arrested 37 suspects for hoarding oxygen cylinders and selling COVID-19 therapeutic drugs above the Highest Retail Price (HET). Dozens of suspects were the result of the disclosure of 33 cases.

"Bareksrim and the ranks of the regional police have so far taken action against 33 cases by naming 37 suspects," said Director of Special Economic Crimes (Dirtipideksus) Brigadier General Helmy Santika to reporters, Wednesday, July 28.

From the disclosure of dozens of cases, investigators confiscated various types of drugs that are often used for COVID-19 therapy. In addition, 48 oxygen cylinders were confiscated to be used as evidence.

The police also managed to uncover the Azithromycin antibiotic drug factory located in the Cianjur area, West Java.

"There are 365,876 tablets of COVID-19 therapeutic drugs of various types, 62 vials of COVID-19 therapeutic drugs of various types, then 48 oxygen cylinders," he said.

"From the factory, we found 178,000 Azithromycin grains, 125 kilograms of material, which if produced into Azithromycin would produce 300 thousand grains," continued Helmy.

With the disclosure of the naughty practices of the suspects, the suspect was charged with Article 196 of Law Number 36 of 2009 concerning Health with a threat of 10 years in prison, Article 62 in conjunction with Article 10 of Law Number 8 of 1999 concerning Consumer Protection.