Medan Police Dismantle International Drug Syndicate, Seize 128 Vapes Containing Narcotics

The Narcotics Unit of the Medan Metropolitan Police has uncovered an international drug trafficking syndicate using a new modus operandi. During the case disclosure, police seized hundreds of vape devices, or electronic cigarettes, containing drugs in a raid at a hotel on Jalan Sei Batang Hari, Medan Baru District, on Saturday (4/7). In the operation, the Medan Police Narcotics Unit arrested a suspect with the initials MG, 30. The resident of Hamparan Perak District, Deli Serdang, was apprehended while waiting for distribution instructions from a controller suspected to be in Malaysia. ‘We seized 128 units of drug vapes, popularly called Pod Getar. The suspect hid the evidence under a pillow in the hotel room,’ said Medan Police Narcotics Unit Head AKBP Rafli Yusuf Nugraha on Wednesday (8/7). According to Rafli, the syndicate was highly adept at deceiving officers by camouflaging the illicit goods to look like ordinary vapes. The packaging used was plain black without any brand identity, only affixed with a holographic sticker reading ‘QC’ to give the impression that the product had passed standard testing. Preliminary examination results indicate that the drugs were supplied to Indonesia via sea routes in the Tanjung Balai area before finally reaching the suspect in Medan. MG admitted to receiving the goods from an old university friend. ‘We are currently pursuing the supplier and the network controller, who is suspected of operating from Malaysia, to dismantle this distribution chain,’ Rafli stated. In addition to seizing 128 Pod Getar devices, police also confiscated two mobile phones belonging to the suspect as evidence to trace the network’s communications. The suspect is currently detained at the Medan Metropolitan Police Headquarters to undergo further legal proceedings.