Etomidate Vape Case in Medan to Go to Trial Soon, Suspect Handed Over to Prosecutor
Investigators from the National Police Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim Polri) have transferred Muhammad Rafi, the manager of an etomidate vape laboratory arrested in Medan City, North Sumatra. In addition to the suspect, the investigators also transferred evidence related to the case.
Director of Narcotics Criminal Acts (Dittipidnarkoba) at Bareskrim Polri, Brigadier General Eko Hadi Santoso, stated that the transfer of the suspect and evidence was carried out at the Medan District Prosecutor’s Office (Kejari), North Sumatra, on Monday (13/4/2026) afternoon.
The suspect, Muhammad Rafi, was escorted by investigators AKP Wahyudi Gultom and Aipda Sujasmoro when he was handed over to the Public Prosecutors (JPU) at Kejari Medan, Paulina and Judika.
In addition to the suspect, several pieces of evidence seized related to the processing of home industry etomidate vapes were also handed over, including 2 plastic bottles of brownish liquid suspected to be the narcotic Etomidate and 3,000 ml of lychee variant flavour essence; equipment such as a digital scale, induction stove, laboratory measuring glass, syringe, aluminium pot, and digital thermometer; as well as pod components consisting of 2,500 cartridge tank units and 2,500 cartridge coil units ready for assembly; 1 mobile phone and a motorbike as the suspect’s transportation tool.
Brigadier General Eko Hadi added that, in accordance with legal procedures, some of the liquid evidence that is hazardous in nature had been destroyed beforehand for safety reasons.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Head of Subdit IV Dittipidnarkoba at Bareskrim Polri, Commissioner Handik Zusen, stated that the Stage II examination process proceeded safely and smoothly without any obstacles.
“After the administrative process and examination at Kejari Medan were completed, the suspect Muhammad Rafi was immediately taken and placed in the Class I Tanjung Gusta Medan Detention Centre to await the trial schedule,” said Handik.
This transfer represents the Indonesian National Police’s commitment to completing the investigation into the circulation of a new type of narcotic targeting e-cigarette users, while ensuring that the perpetrators receive legal certainty in court.
Case Chronology
The case came to light after the Subdit IV Dittipid Narkoba team at Bareskrim Polri received information from Customs officers at Soekarno-Hatta Airport regarding a shipment package from Malaysia to Medan, North Sumatra. It was no ordinary package, but 2 bottles containing liquid with etomidate substance weighing 2.5 kilograms gross.
The information was followed up by the team led by the Deputy Head of Subdit IV Dittipidnarkoba at Bareskrim Polri, Commissioner Pol Hendik Zusen. Subsequently, Subdit IV of the Narcotics Criminal Acts Directorate at Bareskrim Polri coordinated with the North Sumatra team under the leadership of Commissioner Bayu Putra Samara to conduct a controlled delivery.
The package was sent to an address in Medan City with the recipient named Nurul. However, during the controlled delivery process, the perpetrator changed the delivery address to a coffee shop on Jalan HM Joni.
To shorten the time, the team rushed to the location and secured Muhammad Rafi on Jalan HM Joni, Medan, on Tuesday (9/2).
“The results of the investigation revealed that the package recipient was only using the name. The owner, Muhammad Rafi, was secured when receiving the package on Jalan HM Joni,” said Brigadier General Eko on Wednesday (10/2).
The team then conducted further investigation and searched Rafi’s house on Jalan Raya Medan Tenggara, Binjai Village, Medan Denai Subdistrict. There, officers found evidence in the form of 1,700 grams of etomidate liquid and 4,000 grams of flavour liquid.
“Thus, if processed, the total weight is 5,730 grams. The conversion value is Rp 17,190,000,000 and the number of lives saved is 2,865 lives,” explained Eko.