Tangerang Regency (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Food and Drug Authority\n(BPOM) has dismantled a storage and distribution warehouse containing\napproximately 459,000 illegal natural medicines, health supplements, and\ncosmetics, valued at around Rp25 billion, in Pakuhaji, Tangerang\nRegency, Banten.<\/p>\n
BPOM Head Taruna Ikrar stated during a press conference in Tangerang\non Wednesday that the discovery was the result of an expanded cyber\npatrol targeting the online sale of products without distribution\npermits, which was subsequently followed up with field\ninvestigations.<\/p>\n
Officers subsequently located a warehouse in the Laksana Business\nPark complex, Pakaguji, which was allegedly used to store and distribute\nillegal products.<\/p>\n
During the enforcement action, officers detained one individual,\nidentified by the initials WNA (a foreign national), who has been named\na suspect.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is one individual with the initials WNA. We are currently\nconducting further investigations and examinations, as they certainly\nhave a network, and we intend to uncover that network,\u201d said Taruna.<\/p>\n
BPOM discovered 287 types of products, totalling approximately\n459,000 items, with an estimated economic value of reaching Rp25\nbillion. The findings consist of 243 types, or about 436,000 products,\nof illegal and\/or suspected counterfeit cosmetics valued at\napproximately Rp18.9 billion.<\/p>\n
Additionally, officers seized 44 types, or about 23,000 products, of\nillegal natural medicines and health supplements valued at around Rp6.1\nbillion. These products are predominantly imported goods originating\nfrom China, the United States, and Australia.<\/p>\n
According to Taruna, based on initial examinations and in-depth\ninvestigations, the products are suspected to have entered Indonesia\nthrough general freight forwarders using unauthorised routes and\/or\nwithout the required import documentation. The products were then stored\nin the warehouse before being distributed to consumers via e-commerce\nmarketplaces.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese smuggled goods were stored in a warehouse in Tangerang Regency\nbefore being widely distributed to various regions across Indonesia\nthrough e-commerce platforms,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Taruna noted that the illegal products lack distribution permits and\nhave therefore not undergone the BPOM evaluation process. Consequently,\nthe safety, quality, and benefits of the products cannot be verified\naccording to applicable regulations, posing potential risks to public\nhealth.<\/p>\n
As a follow-up, BPOM has temporarily suspended activities at the\nwarehouse and seized all illegal and\/or suspected counterfeit natural\nmedicines, health supplements, and cosmetics found. BPOM is also taking\nproduct samples for laboratory testing to verify their contents and is\ncoordinating with the police for further legal proceedings.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are mandated by law to protect, guard, and serve the wider public\nfrom pharmaceutical preparations or medicines that could pose problems\nfor health, and even the continuity and life of our nation,\u201d said\nTaruna.<\/p>\n
BPOM stated that the suspect is charged with violating Article 435 in\nconjunction with Article 138, paragraphs (2) and (3) of Law Number 17 of\n2023 concerning Health. Violations of these provisions may be subject to\na prison sentence of up to 12 years or a fine of up to Rp5 billion.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/bpom-uncovers-warehouse-containing-459-000-illegal-products-one-suspect-detained-1790780657", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }