BNN States Narcotics Distribution Patterns Are Rapidly Evolving and Difficult to Detect

The narcotics situation in Indonesia has changed very rapidly, including in liquid forms and disguised through e-cigarette mediums.

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia’s National Narcotics Agency (BNN) states that narcotics distribution patterns in Indonesia are developing rapidly and becoming increasingly difficult to detect.

BNN Head, Police Commissioner General Suyudi Ario Seto, in Jakarta on Wednesday, said that narcotics types are no longer limited to heroin or ecstasy, but have evolved into liquid, synthetic forms, and even disguised in e-cigarettes.

“Narcotics in Indonesia have changed very rapidly, including in liquid forms and disguised through e-cigarette mediums,” he stated.

According to him, this situation requires strengthened regulations that cannot be handled by BNN alone, but through synergy with relevant ministries and agencies.

Suyudi appreciated the existing cooperation and assessed that further strengthening of collaboration is needed moving forward.

In response, BPOM Head Taruna Ikrar expressed his agency’s readiness to strengthen data-based scientific collaboration.

He emphasised that every policy taken will be based on comprehensive scientific studies.

Previously, the BNN Head proposed regulating e-cigarettes or vapes in the Draft Law on Narcotics and Psychotropics.

Suyudi stated that Indonesia is facing a massive phenomenon of narcotics substances distribution through vape liquids. Several ASEAN countries, such as Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, Brunei Darussalam, and Laos, have already banned vape distribution ahead of Indonesia.

“Based on laboratory test results on 341 vape liquid samples, concerning facts were found,” said Suyudi during a meeting with Commission III of the People’s Representative Council (DPR RI) at the parliamentary complex in Jakarta.