Bareskrim Destroys 41 Etomidate Vape Cartridges Linked to Distribution Case in Pekanbaru

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The Narcotics Crime Directorate of the National Police Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim Polri) destroyed 41 etomidate narcotic vape cartridges at the National Police Headquarters on Monday (4/5/2026). The evidence items formed part of the bust of a case involving the distribution of vapes containing the misused anaesthetic substance in Pekanbaru, Riau. The destruction was carried out by the investigative team from Subdirectorate II of the Narcotics Crime Directorate of Bareskrim Polri, starting at 10:00 WIB and proceeding until completion. “The destruction process was carried out safely and smoothly,” stated the Head of Subdirectorate II of the Narcotics Crime Directorate of Bareskrim Polri, Senior Commissioner Awaludin Amin, in his remarks on Monday. Awaludin explained that prior to destruction, the evidence was first examined by Puslabfor personnel to verify its conformity and authenticity. “It was then placed into the incineration machine in the Cerator car park of the Bareskrim Polri Building,” he said. The destroyed evidence pertains to a case with police report number LP/A/75/IV/2026/SPKT.Dittipidnarkoba/Bareskrim Polri dated 14 April 2026, involving two suspects: Hendy alias Asiong and Robi Nofiardi. Previously, Bareskrim Polri uncovered the etomidate-containing vape distribution case by arresting Hendy alias Asiong (36), a sailor, at a hotel in the Pekanbaru area. Director of Narcotics Crimes at Bareskrim Polri, Brigadier General Eko Hadi Santoso, stated that the arrest occurred on 14 April 2026 after the team received information about a suspicious transaction. From the examination, the suspect admitted to purchasing 50 etomidate cartridges from an individual with initials R for Rp 98 million. He also confessed to conducting similar transactions four times since March 2026. In addition to distribution, the suspect was found to have consumed the etomidate vapes himself.