Metro Police Uncover 42 Etomidate Cases, Seize 11,000 Cartridges
The Metro Jaya Police’s Narcotics Directorate has uncovered 42 cases of etomidate trafficking in the Jakarta area over the past three months. From these dozens of cases, 11,000 cartridges suspected to contain etomidate were seized.
“We have uncovered 42 cases related to the use of the illicit substance etomidate, with 63 suspects and the seizure of 11,000 pieces of cartridges containing etomidate,” said Dirresnarkoba Kombes Ahmad David during a press conference on Wednesday (8/4).
Among these cases, one prominent incident was the raid on a vape cartridge production site containing etomidate in an apartment in Pluit, North Jakarta. In this operation, police seized evidence in the form of 100 grams of powder containing etomidate.
“Then we arrested and secured a Chinese national with initials HW, and one Indonesian national, who were involved in mixing or making etomidate cartridges,” David said.
The second prominent case was the uncovering of etomidate distribution in an apartment in Kalibata, South Jakarta. In this raid, police arrested three suspects and seized 5,095 vape cartridges containing etomidate.
“Regarding etomidate, thank God, it is now included in the list of psychotropics, group two, so law enforcement can take firm action against its illicit trade and misuse,” David stated.
On the other hand, overall, the Metro Jaya Police’s Narcotics Directorate successfully uncovered 1,833 drug cases from January to March 2026. From these thousands of cases, police seized 721.01 kg of various types of narcotic evidence.
In detail, the evidence consisted of 115.84 kg of sabu; 275.92 kg of ganja; 26,593 ecstasy pills; 873,950 dangerous pills; 11,000 pieces of vape cartridges containing etomidate; 19.69 kg of ecstasy powder; 7.63 kg of synthetic tobacco; 4.5 kg of synthetic seed powder; 5,070 Happy Five pills; 16.2 kg of ketamine; 96 packets of Happy Water; and 1.02 kg of cocaine.
“The total seized evidence, if converted to black market value, means that the Metro Police and its subordinate police resorts have seized Rp 280 billion and saved 5,173,407 lives of Jakarta residents and surrounding areas from the dangers of drug trafficking and misuse,” David said.
From the 1,833 cases, 2,485 suspects were arrested, consisting of 2,283 men, 202 women, 14 foreigners, and seven minors. The suspects had various roles, from producers and dealers to users.
“The roles include nine as producers, then 972 suspects as dealers, and 1,504 as users or addicts or victims of the crime itself,” David said.