BNN Reveals New Drug Trafficking Method via Vapes

The National Narcotics Board (BNN) has revealed a new method of drug distribution within society, which involves inserting liquid narcotics into electronic cigarettes (vapes). They noted that traffickers are specifically targeting young people.

BNN Secretary General, Inspector General Pol Tantan Sulistyana, stated that the method of distributing drugs by placing liquid narcotics into vapes poses a serious threat. This is particularly concerning as distributors are targeting the youth group, many of whom use vapes.

“Narcotics have now undergone a shift in both modus operandi and form. Previously, they were in crystal form, but now there is a significant shift towards liquid forms,” he said during the Pasanggiri Agung Kawih Sinom event, ‘Narcotics: Enemy of the Nation’, at the Central Cultural Building on Jalan Naripan, Bandung, on Monday (14/09/2026).

He noted that the distribution of liquid drugs through electronic cigarettes targets young people, as they are frequent users of e-cigarettes.

With this new method, he stated that it is difficult to recognise with the naked eye. This is because the liquid narcotics can be inserted into the vape cartridge, and the aroma is masked by the various flavour variants of the vape products.

Tantan mentioned that several cases have emerged, such as the extraction of cannabis leaves into liquid in Sidoarjo, as well as the smuggling of ketamine and etomidate in liquid form.

He continued that the threat to the youth group is also evident from the increasing prevalence of narcotics abuse in the 15 to 24 age group. Meanwhile, the number of drug users within the productive age group of 15 to 64 years has reached approximately 4.1 million people.