East Java Police Confiscate 43 Types Of Vitamin-Drugs For COVID-19, Police Chief Nico Afinta: Please, Don't Sell If Not Authorized!

East Java Regional Police Chief Inspector General Nico Afinta (fourth from right) shows a number of illegally sold drugs and vitamins for handling COVID-19 (Photo: ANTARA)

JATIM - The East Java Regional Police Law Enforcement Task Force confiscated as many as 43 types of drugs and vitamins for handling COVID-19 which were sold illegally during the Safe Operation Nusa II.

"We revealed that there was an act of selling drugs that was carried out by wrong people. The team confiscated 43 types of drugs and vitamins," said East Java Police Chief Inspector General Nico Afinta in Surabaya as reported by Antara, Saturday, July 10.

Disclosure of the case began with public information about the scarcity of oxygen, medicines and vitamins. "The suspect is one person. These drugs and vitamins are sold and circulated not by people who are authorized in the pharmaceutical sector," said Kapolda Nico.

He warned people who are not authorized not to sell drugs or vitamins for handling COVID-19 which are currently needed by the community.

"I ask the public, please if it is not a pharmacy or pharmacist or a drug store that has the authority not to sell. If there are people who are not licensed but sell pharmaceutical products, please report them, now many people are in need," he said.

The suspect, said the Regional Police Chief, was charged with Article 198 of the Health Law, that is, anyone who does not have the expertise and authority to practice pharmacy as referred to in Article 108 will be punished with a maximum fine of Rp. 100 million.

On that occasion the two-star police officer said that currently his staff are continuing to carry out judicial operations to discipline the public.

"The enemy is invisible and always threatens, on our carelessness. It knows no boundaries of place, time and age," he said.

The East Java Regional Police also asked the ulama to help socialize related to the Toron culture or return to their hometown during Eid al-Adha.

"We convey to the public, for this time do not carry out this culture first. Be patient, this time we must be patient to stay at home. Let's unite to face COVID-19 by implementing health protocols," he said.