BNN Thwarts Smuggling Of 1,800 Vapes To Be Injected With Ketamine And Etomade

Head of BNN Komjen Martinus Hukom delivered his remarks at the inauguration of the Sambas Regency BNN Office, West Kalimantan, Wednesday (13/8/2025). BETWEEN PHOTOS/Jessica Wuysang/nym

The National Narcotics Agency (BNN) of the Republic of Indonesia thwarted an attempt to smuggle as many as 1,800 e-cigarettes (vapes) suspected of being injected with dangerous addictive substances.

Head of BNN Komjen Martinus Hukom said this failure was the result of a collaboration between BNN, the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM), and Customs and Excise.

"A few days ago we took a joint approach with the POM Agency and we got approximately 1,800 vapes that are ready to be injected with addictive substances, called ketamina and ethomide," said Martinus at the National Resilience Institution Building (Lemhannas), Central Jakarta, Antara, Thursday, August 21.

Martinus explained that the vape was smuggled into Indonesia from abroad using the delivery route through the post office.

After a search, it was discovered that the vape-vape was planned to be taken to a warehouse that functions as a laboratory to be injected with addictive substances before being marketed.

"We are investigating cooperation with Customs and Excise so that we can find warehouses for some kind of laboratory," said Martinus.

Ketamine and etholidate are two types of medical substances commonly used as anesthetics or anesthesia. However, in the context of drug abuse, these two substances can cause hallucinatory, euphoric, and dependence effects.

Martinus has not detailed further regarding the timing and location of the raid, the country of origin of the shipment, or the identities of the arrested perpetrators. He said the investigation was still ongoing in order to reveal the possible involvement of other networks of dealers.

"Tomorrow maybe we will expose our success," said Martinus.