Bareskrim Uncovers Etomidate Distribution Network from Thailand in Pluit Apartment
The Indonesian National Police’s Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim) has uncovered a distribution network for the narcotic etomidate originating from Thailand in the Pluit area of North Jakarta. Director of Drug Crimes at Bareskrim, Brigadier General Eko Hadi Santoso, stated that the international network was uncovered on Tuesday (4/8). A total of four suspects were arrested from two different locations, with 210 millilitres of liquid etomidate seized as evidence.
The Sub-Directorate III team first arrested a man named Julian after he collected a package containing liquid etomidate in the lobby of Tower D, Greenbay Apartment. During questioning, Julian admitted he was instructed by Ruddi Irwanto (43) to collect the package and store it in room 23CB of the Greenbay Apartment. Acting on this information, officers subsequently arrested Ruddi in front of the apartment. Ruddi confessed to investigators that the illicit goods belonged to individuals named Henhen and Edo, who are currently on the wanted list (DPO). Ruddi stated he was told to collect the package from the lobby, store it in unit 23CB, and leave it there, with a promised payment of around IDR 30-40 million.
Developing the case further, police arrested two women, Dewita Indah Sari (33) and her younger sister Dewina Cloei (23), at the Lucky Tower Residence Apartment in Taman Sari, West Jakarta, in the early hours of Wednesday (5/8). Both are suspected of facilitating the shipment of packages from Thailand. According to their roles, Dewita tracked the package’s location, while Dewina assisted in paying the customs tax to release the package from the shipping authority. Ruddy had requested Dewina’s help to pay the tax on the package.
In addition to the 210 ml of liquid etomidate, police also seized electronic evidence including an iPhone 16 Pro Max and an iPhone 17 Pro Max from the suspects. Economically, Eko estimated the liquid narcotic to be worth IDR 630,000,000. Through this operation, he added, 105 lives were saved from the dangers of narcotics abuse. For their actions, the perpetrators face charges under Article 119 paragraph (2) in conjunction with Article 132 paragraph (1) of Republic of Indonesia Law No. 35 of 2009 on Narcotics, as well as related articles in Law No. 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code.