Former Kutai Kartanegara Narcotics Chief Named Suspect for Controlling Drug-Laced Vape Shipments
The East Kalimantan Regional Police have dismantled an alleged narcotics distribution ring involving vape liquid containing synthetic drugs, implicating the former Head of the Narcotics Criminal Investigation Unit of the Kutai Kartanegara Police, Assistant Commissioner of Police (AKP) Yohanes Bonar Adiguna. He has been officially designated as a suspect following allegations of involvement in the shipment of vape cartridges containing the synthetic narcotic substance Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC).
The Head of Public Relations for the East Kalimantan Regional Police, Commissioner Yuliyanto, stated that the case originated from coordination between the East Kalimantan Narcotics Criminal Investigation Directorate and Customs regarding suspicious package shipments via courier services in East Kalimantan. Officers subsequently conducted surveillance at two delivery locations in Tenggarong and Balikpapan.
On 30 April 2025, at approximately 15:00 WITA, police apprehended a man collecting a package at a courier service in Tenggarong. During initial interrogation, the individual claimed he was acting under the orders of AKP Yohanes. Further investigation into another package in Balikpapan led to the discovery of 20 vape liquid cartridges containing Class II narcotics, specifically Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC). Police confirmed the presence of narcotics following official forensic laboratory testing.
Further investigation revealed that the suspect allegedly orchestrated several similar package collections. Records indicate at least five shipments involving the same sender and recipient identities, with the total volume of suspected narcotics reaching approximately 100 vape liquid cartridges.
In the early hours of 1 May 2025, a joint team from the Narcotics Criminal Investigation Directorate and the East Kalimantan Regional Police Internal Affairs Division (Bidpropam) detained AKP Yohanes for further questioning. Following a case review involving the Internal Affairs Division, the Regional Police Inspectorate, and the Legal Division, AKP Yohanes’s status was upgraded from witness to suspect.
The suspect faces charges under Article 114 Paragraph 2 and/or Article 112 Paragraph 2 of Law Number 35 of 2009 concerning Narcotics. In addition to criminal narcotics charges, AKP Yohanes will also face disciplinary and professional code of ethics proceedings. The most severe sanction available is Dishonorable Discharge (PTDH) in accordance with applicable regulations.