Drug Syndicate Exposed Using 'Secret Map' to Conceal Narcotics
Drug syndicates use every possible means to conceal their illicit goods. This time, a narcotics network in Riau created a ‘secret map’ as a guide for its members.
The etomidate narcotics distribution network was apprehended by the Indonesian National Police’s Criminal Investigation Unit (Bareskrim Polri) in the Rupat area, Bengkalis Regency, Riau Province. In this case, investigators arrested three suspects along with evidence of 1,400 drug-laced vapes containing etomidate.
In addition to arresting the suspects, Bareskrim also seized a number of items of evidence, including 1,400 etomidate vape units, 118 ecstasy pills, and mobile phones. The case came to light following a series of investigations conducted from Wednesday (12/8) to Friday (14/8).
Three Suspects Arrested
Within this network, Bareskrim Polri arrested three suspects. They served as narcotics couriers.
“The suspects we have detained are three individuals: Adiah (55), Azman (45), and Agusni Pratama (27),” said Brigadier General Eko Hadi Santoso, Director of Narcotics Crime at Bareskrim Polri, in a statement to journalists on Thursday (20/8).
The investigation began when the Sub-Directorate IV team of the Narcotics Crime Directorate at Bareskrim Polri, under the leadership of Senior Commissioner Handik Zusen, received information about an impending etomidate narcotics transaction in the Rupat area, Bengkalis, on Tuesday (11/8). Following up on this information, the Sub-Directorate IV team conducted an investigation and surveillance.
Eventually, on Wednesday (12/8) afternoon, the team identified individuals matching the profile and arrested Adiah on Jalan Hutan Panjang, Bengkalis Regency. During the search, the team discovered a piece of paper bearing a sketch resembling a map.
“According to Adiah’s statement, the paper was a sketch map indicating the location of the etomidate narcotics previously placed by her son-in-law, named Satpriyanto (wanted person),” said Brigadier General Eko.
Adiah admitted that on Monday (10/8) she had instructed her son-in-law, Satpriyanto, to collect the drugs from Azman’s house. The team then proceeded to Azman’s house, but he was not at home.
Officers subsequently conducted a search and found Azman’s mobile phone left behind in a hut behind the house, specifically beneath a wooden plank.
‘Secret Map’ for Narcotics
After the search at Azman’s house yielded no results, the team then swept the location according to the sketch map in Adiah’s possession. After a search lasting one and a half hours, the team discovered a sack containing etomidate and ecstasy by the roadside in Pangkalan Baru, Hutan Panjang Rupat, Bengkalis Regency, hidden among grass and shrubs.
“Subsequently, on Wednesday, 12 August 2026, at around 9.00 pm Western Indonesia Time, Azman surrendered himself at the Rupat Batu Panjang Police Station, Rupat District, Bengkalis Regency,” said Senior Commissioner Handik.
Under police supervision, Adiah communicated with a Malaysian national named Tambi, who is still being pursued. In that communication, Tambi instructed Adiah to hand over the etomidate to a person named Yolanda Dilfi Yanti (wanted person) in Dumai, Riau.
One Thousand Etomidate Units in a Sack
On Friday (14/8), Yolanda also contacted Adiah to collect the etomidate in room 418 of a hotel in Dumai. The team then conducted surveillance until they spotted a suspicious man entering the room.
“Shortly afterwards, the man exited carrying a burlap sack while making a phone call and went straight into the lift,” Handik added.
The team then followed the man, later identified as Agusni Pratama. Without wasting time, the team arrested Agusni along with the evidence: a sack containing etomidate.
The three suspects are currently being held at Bareskrim Polri for questioning and further investigation into the network above them.
Three Wanted Persons Being Pursued
Bareskrim is still pursuing the network. Three individuals are being hunted by police.
“We are also still pursuing three wanted persons, namely Satpriyanto, Tambi (a Malaysian national), and Yolanda Dilfi Yanti (courier coordinator),” he added.