Banten Police Seize 30 Cartridges of Drug-Laced Vape Worth IDR 60 Million

The Banten Police have uncovered the circulation of a new type of drug, namely liquid etomidate packaged in electronic cigarette cartridges or vape liquid. A total of 30 cartridges were seized from a dealer in the city of Medan, North Sumatra.

The Director of Narcotics Investigation at the Banten Police, Commissioner Wiwin Setyawan, said that this discovery began with reports from the public. The police then took action and secured the perpetrator, identified as AAP, on February 10, 2026. He was arrested at around 11:00 PM at a food stall on Jalan Darusalem, Medan.

“The network of this etomidate drug syndicate operates along the Medan-Banten-Jakarta route via land transportation,” he said on Thursday (February 26, 2026).

From the perpetrator, the police confiscated 30 vape cartridges containing 39.2 grams of etomidate liquid. In addition, the police secured a mobile phone as evidence.

“The liquid drug is in the form of etomidate packaged in vape cartridges. A total of 30 cartridges with a total weight of 39.2 grams were seized, with an estimated value of around IDR 60 million,” he said.

Wiwin said that the vape liquid contained etomidate and was disguised in ordinary electronic cigarette devices to avoid suspicion.

“It is put into vape devices, so it is not visible or detectable, as if it were just ordinary vape. In this way, the public or users feel safe because it is not detected,” he said.

According to Wiwin, the vape liquid containing etomidate is sold for around IDR 4 million per cartridge. However, if it circulates in entertainment venues in urban areas, such as Tangerang, the price can increase to IDR 5 million to IDR 6 million.

“The price on the market is already high. But because certain people can get into this network, the goods still circulate,” he explained.

Watch also the video “Prosecutors Demand Death Penalty for Crew Members from Medan Who Smuggled 2 Tons of Drugs!”

(yld/yld)