Malaysian Network Distributes 'Batman' Etomidate Concealed in Basmati Rice

The Narcotics Directorate of the Jakarta Metropolitan Police has thwarted the distribution of etomidate and ecstasy narcotics concealed within packages of Indian basmati rice. During the operation, police arrested two men, identified by the initials T (26) and Y (29). The case came to light following a tip-off from the public regarding drug activity at a boarding house in the Paseban area of Central Jakarta. Police investigated the report and apprehended the two suspects on Saturday (20/6). At the location, officers discovered a cardboard box containing five packets of basmati rice and one packet of curry seasoning that had been modified to store narcotics. ‘Inside the packaging, we found 94 etomidate cartridges bearing the ’Batman’ logo and 100 ecstasy pills,’ said AKBP Triyatno Pamungkas, Head of Sub-Directorate 2 of the Jakarta Metropolitan Police Narcotics Directorate, in a statement on Thursday (25/6). Four mobile phones and Rp700,000 in cash, believed to be linked to the drug trafficking activity, were also seized at the scene. Based on information from the two suspects, police expanded their investigation to an apartment in the Tanah Abang area of Central Jakarta. At the second location, officers found two additional ecstasy pills suspected to be connected to the same distribution network. ‘The suspects’ modus operandi was to send the drugs via an expedition service from Medan to Jakarta, disguised within Indian rice. We have obtained information that the suspects are linked to a network originating from Malaysia,’ Triyatno stated. Both suspects and the evidence have been taken to the Jakarta Metropolitan Police Narcotics Directorate office for further investigation.