BNN Chief: Global Narcotics Now Liquid, Entering Through Vapes

National Narcotics Agency (BNN) Chief Commissioner General Suyudi Ario Seto stated that the types of narcotics are beginning to change. Suyudi mentioned that narcotics are now frequently found in liquid form. He conveyed this during a working meeting with House of Representatives Commission III at the parliament building in Senayan, Jakarta, on Wednesday (17/6/2026). According to him, cannabis is now also being produced in liquid form. “Ladies and gentlemen, I need to convey that the development of narcotics globally, including in Indonesia now, is liquid-type narcotics, Sir. So liquid crystal meth, methamphetamine, even liquid cannabis, liquid etomidate. So everything is liquid,” Suyudi said. He stated that the entry point for the circulation of this type of narcotic is through electronic cigarettes. Suyudi said the BNN had previously proposed a total ban on the use of vapes. “One of the entry points, and the most primary one, is through electronic cigarettes or vapes. This is what we conveyed in the previous meeting, we proposed a total ban in this regard,” he said. He mentioned that the BNN plans to procure rapid test kits and urine tests specifically for etomidate substances. According to him, the agency does not yet possess these tools. “We are also faced with the emergence of substance trends such as etomidate, which is currently rampant or experiencing a significant increase within the community. Therefore, budget support is greatly needed and will later be utilised for the procurement of rapid test kits and urine tests specifically for etomidate substances,” he revealed. He said the BNN urgently requires detection tools for etomidate. Suyudi stated that the absence of these tools hinders the agency in carrying out enforcement actions. “These detection tools are very much needed for field enforcement, while currently the BNN does not possess them at all. Under current conditions, if there is a finding suspected to be etomidate, we can indeed bring it to the BNN Narcotics Laboratory Centre. However, that testing is only limited to identifying the substance content in the physical evidence alone,” Suyudi said. “It is not for detecting the content in the user’s urine, which would take time. The lack of rapid test kits for etomidate will certainly hamper our speed in taking action, accurately confirming the user’s status, and making quick rescue decisions in the field,” he added.