Mercury-containing cosmetics sold via TikTok, four people detained

The Sub-Directorate III of the Drug Crime Directorate (Dittipidnarkoba) of the Indonesian National Police’s Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim) uncovered a case of illegal cosmetics production containing mercury in Cirebon, West Java, and detained four people in connection with the matter. The discovery followed information about the circulation of pharmaceutical preparations without BPOM distribution permits that contained mercury.

The four detainees are SA, the owner of the Lou Glow store account; MRA, SA’s employee; NS, owner of the Lavia Skincare account; and R, NS’s employee.

According to Eko Hadi Santoso, a senior officer in Jakarta on Wednesday, NS studied how to manufacture illegal cosmetics via YouTube videos and marketed the products through the TikTok accounts Lavia Skincare, Fiana Store, and Hetty Skincare.

The cosmetics were sold in 15-gram packaging at Rp12,000 and 30-gram packaging at Rp24,000. The monthly turnover from online sales in Cirebon and its surroundings was around Rp21 million, said Eko.

Products made by SA were sold at Rp12,500 for 15-gram packaging and Rp21,500 for 30-gram packaging.

Investigators have charged the suspects under Article 435 of Law Number 17 of 2023 on Health. Going forward, investigators will question witnesses and hold a case conference to determine whether to designate suspects.