Metro Police: South Tangerang Narcotics Chief Not Involved in Etomidate Distribution
The Metro Jaya Regional Police have stated that the Head of the Narcotics Unit at the South Tangerang Police, AKP Pardiman, is not involved in the alleged distribution of the narcotic etomidate. The Head of Public Relations for Metro Jaya Police, Senior Commissioner Budi Hermanto, confirmed that the National Police’s Criminal Investigation Department (Bareskrim) has named two suspects in the case, identified as MR and DD, for the possession and distribution of 200 etomidate cartridges. Both suspects are members of the South Tangerang Police Narcotics Unit, with one also being a member of the Aceh Regional Police.
However, Budi stated that Pardiman and five other members of the unit are not linked to the drug distribution. “Bareskrim Polri, through the Directorate of Drug Crimes, has investigated and detained two suspects, MR and DD, for the possession and distribution of 200 etomidate cartridges,” Budi said at Metro Jaya Police Headquarters on Monday (27/7). “The Narcotics Chief and the five other individuals are not connected to the two people detained by the Directorate of Drug Crimes regarding the possession of 200 etomidate cartridges,” he continued.
Despite this, Budi confirmed that Pardiman and the five other members are currently being examined by investigators from the Sub-Directorate of Internal Security (Paminal) of Metro Jaya Police. He explained that the investigation concerns Pardiman’s responsibility as the Head of the Narcotics Unit at the South Tangerang Police, including whether he was aware that his subordinates were involved in drug distribution. “But because he is a Unit Chief, the Professional and Internal Security Division of Metro Jaya Police will investigate his supervision and control over his subordinates,” Budi said. “Currently, an examination is underway as a follow-up to his responsibility as a Unit Chief. The results will be conveyed transparently,” he added.
Budi further stressed that the Metro Jaya Police Chief, Inspector General Asep Edi Suheri, is committed to taking firm action against any members involved in drug abuse cases. “The Metro Jaya Police Chief is very firm and committed regarding the involvement of Metro Jaya Police personnel, whether as users or as dealers,” he stated. Previously, Bareskrim Polri had arrested six members of the South Tangerang Police Narcotics Unit in connection with the etomidate abuse case, including AKP Pardiman. The five other members were identified as Panit 2 Unit 1, Ipda Apip Kurniawan; Panit Timsus, Ipda Ndaru Wahyu Prayogo; Kanit 1, Ipda Oki Wira Pranata; Panit Baya, Ipda Rudy; and Katimsus, Ipda Frandhika Pria Dwi Oktavianto. The Director of Drug Crimes at Bareskrim Polri, Brigadier General Eko Hadi Santoso, said the six members were handed over to the Metro Jaya Police’s Internal Security Sub-Directorate on Saturday (25/7) at 10.30 pm local time.