Drug Dealer Arrested for Distributing Thousands of "Cattle Pills" in Bantul, Admits Profit Motive Ahead of Eid
Police have arrested a daily labourer who distributed thousands of Yarindo tablets, commonly known as “cattle pills,” in Sewon, Bantul. The suspect admitted he was motivated by the prospect of substantial profits to meet his needs ahead of Eid celebrations.
Ipda Windarto, head of narcotics investigations at Bantul Police Station, stated that officers received public information on Friday, 6 March 2026 at approximately 21:00 WIB regarding a merchant who frequently consumed the pills. Police then approached the merchant, identified as D, alias Gendut (25), and conducted a search. The operation uncovered one transparent plastic clip containing five white pills marked with the letter “Y.”
Gendut disclosed that he obtained the pills from an associate identified as P, alias Aprex (35), a resident of Sewon, Bantul. Following this lead, police conducted a search of Aprex’s residence and discovered thousands of cattle pills in various stages of distribution, including bulk quantities in large plastic bags and smaller packets prepared for resale.
The seized pills totalled approximately 4,430 units, divided into two large transparent plastic bags each containing 1,000 pills, plus 43 smaller transparent clips with 10 pills each. Aprex admitted to receiving approximately 3,000 pills from his brother the previous month, with only about 1,000 units sold at the time of arrest. Police continue investigating the supply chain.
Aprex employed a cautious distribution strategy, selling the pills exclusively through face-to-face transactions with known associates. He avoided serving customers he did not personally know, creating a closed network of buyers and sellers. Windarto revealed that Aprex was a recidivist with a drug-related conviction from 2015. After his release from prison, he resumed consuming cattle pills in 2022. Facing insufficient income from his casual labour work and needing funds ahead of Eid, Aprex began distributing the pills, attracted by potential profits reaching millions of rupiah.
Pricing details showed that each transparent clip containing 10 pills sold for 30,000 rupiah, whilst a bulk pack of 1,000 pills cost 1.9 million rupiah. Aprex spent the proceeds on daily living expenses and restocking his pill supply.
Aprex faces charges under Article 435 of Law No. 17 of 2023 on Health, combined with Schedule I No. 181 of Law No. 1 of 2026 regarding criminal sanctions amendments. The maximum penalty is 12 years imprisonment.