BPOM Uncovers Warehouse Containing 459,000 Illegal Products; One Suspect Detained
Tangerang Regency (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Food and Drug Authority (BPOM) has dismantled a storage and distribution warehouse containing approximately 459,000 illegal natural medicines, health supplements, and cosmetics, valued at around Rp25 billion, in Pakuhaji, Tangerang Regency, Banten.
BPOM Head Taruna Ikrar stated during a press conference in Tangerang on Wednesday that the discovery was the result of an expanded cyber patrol targeting the online sale of products without distribution permits, which was subsequently followed up with field investigations.
Officers subsequently located a warehouse in the Laksana Business Park complex, Pakaguji, which was allegedly used to store and distribute illegal products.
During the enforcement action, officers detained one individual, identified by the initials WNA (a foreign national), who has been named a suspect.
“There is one individual with the initials WNA. We are currently conducting further investigations and examinations, as they certainly have a network, and we intend to uncover that network,” said Taruna.
BPOM discovered 287 types of products, totalling approximately 459,000 items, with an estimated economic value of reaching Rp25 billion. The findings consist of 243 types, or about 436,000 products, of illegal and/or suspected counterfeit cosmetics valued at approximately Rp18.9 billion.
Additionally, officers seized 44 types, or about 23,000 products, of illegal natural medicines and health supplements valued at around Rp6.1 billion. These products are predominantly imported goods originating from China, the United States, and Australia.
According to Taruna, based on initial examinations and in-depth investigations, the products are suspected to have entered Indonesia through general freight forwarders using unauthorised routes and/or without the required import documentation. The products were then stored in the warehouse before being distributed to consumers via e-commerce marketplaces.
“These smuggled goods were stored in a warehouse in Tangerang Regency before being widely distributed to various regions across Indonesia through e-commerce platforms,” he said.
Taruna noted that the illegal products lack distribution permits and have therefore not undergone the BPOM evaluation process. Consequently, the safety, quality, and benefits of the products cannot be verified according to applicable regulations, posing potential risks to public health.
As a follow-up, BPOM has temporarily suspended activities at the warehouse and seized all illegal and/or suspected counterfeit natural medicines, health supplements, and cosmetics found. BPOM is also taking product samples for laboratory testing to verify their contents and is coordinating with the police for further legal proceedings.
“We are mandated by law to protect, guard, and serve the wider public from pharmaceutical preparations or medicines that could pose problems for health, and even the continuity and life of our nation,” said Taruna.
BPOM stated that the suspect is charged with violating Article 435 in conjunction with Article 138, paragraphs (2) and (3) of Law Number 17 of 2023 concerning Health. Violations of these provisions may be subject to a prison sentence of up to 12 years or a fine of up to Rp5 billion.