Banten Police Destroy 73.2 kg of Crystal Meth and Etomidate Vapes from Six-Month Operation

The Banten Regional Police have destroyed a cache of narcotics evidence from cases uncovered between January and June 2026. The destroyed evidence consisted of 73.2 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, 7.4 kilograms of marijuana, and 25 vape cartridges containing the substance etomidate. Banten Police Deputy Chief Brigadier General Hendra Wirawan stated that the destruction was carried out in conjunction with International Anti-Drug Day 2026 and as a form of commitment to eradicating drug trafficking. “The destruction of evidence we are carrying out today is not merely to fulfil legal provisions, but also represents transparency, accountability, and the commitment of the Banten Regional Police to breaking the chain of illicit drug distribution,” Hendra said on Tuesday (30/6/2026). Meanwhile, the Director of Drug Investigation at the Banten Police, Senior Commissioner Wiwin Setyawan, explained that the evidence resulted from the investigation of five cases throughout the first semester of 2026. The investigations took place in several locations, ranging from Cilegon City, the Merak Executive Terminal, to the Merak-Jakarta Toll Road. According to Wiwin, the total value of the seized evidence reached approximately Rp 90.5 billion. Based on the assumption that one gram of narcotics can be abused by four people, the operation is claimed to have saved around 332,000 lives from potential drug abuse. “The success of this operation has saved approximately 332,000 souls from the potential abuse of narcotics. The total value of the evidence seized is estimated to reach around Rp 90.5 billion,” Wiwin stated. The five cases investigated by the Banten Police Drug Investigation Directorate during the six-month period are as follows: 1. Medan-Banten-Bali Marijuana Network (30 January 2026) Location: Gerem Petrol Station, Cilegon City. Collaboration: Banten Police Drug Investigation Directorate & Merak Customs and Excise. Modus operandi and evidence: The perpetrator directly carried 7,492.61 grams of marijuana in a backpack via land route. Status: Phase II. 2. Pekanbaru-Jakarta-Surabaya Crystal Meth Network (6 February 2026) Location: In front of Hotel Amaris, Cilegon City. Modus operandi and evidence: The suspect collected 4,272 grams of crystal meth from a wanted person in Cilegon to be handed over to another wanted person in Jakarta. Status: Phase II. 3. Medan-Jakarta NPS/Etomidate Network (6 March 2026) Location/Route: Expedition service. Evidence and modus operandi: 30 vape cartridges containing etomidate liquid (±30 grams). A total of 25 cartridges were destroyed according to the ruling. Status: Phase I. 4. Lampung-Serpong Crystal Meth Network (8 March 2026) Location: Merak Executive Terminal. Modus operandi and evidence: The suspect carried 15,862 grams of crystal meth in a suitcase for distribution in South Tangerang. Status: Phase I. 5. Aceh-Medan-Pekanbaru-Jakarta Crystal Meth Network (18 March 2026) - Largest Case Location: Merak-Jakarta Toll Road Extension, Cilegon. Collaboration: Banten Police Drug Investigation Directorate & Merak Customs and Excise. Modus operandi and evidence: Smuggled 55,212 grams of crystal meth hidden inside a car body. Status: Under investigation.