Narcotics Worth Rp97.8 Billion Seized from International Network

The Soekarno-Hatta Airport City Police (Polresta) have successfully thwarted the smuggling of Class II narcotics, specifically liquid etomidate, with an estimated value of Rp97.8 billion. The evidence, totalling 8.6 litres, was seized from an international drug network over the past five months.

The Chief of Soekarno-Hatta Airport Police, Commissioner Wisnu Wardana, revealed that this breakthrough resulted from three separate cases occurring between February and May 2026. During these operations, police apprehended four foreign national suspects acting as couriers.

“The total evidence we secured amounts to 8,600 millilitres or 8.6 litres of etomidate liquid, with an economic value reaching approximately Rp97.8 billion,” Wisnu stated in Tangerang on Monday (22/6/2026).

The four suspects arrested were identified by the initials TN (Singapore), CT (Malaysia), JZ (China), and SP (Thailand). They were reportedly paid between Rp42 million and Rp132.5 million to smuggle the illicit substances into Indonesia.

The Head of Narcotics Crimes at Soetta Airport Police, AKP Michael Kharisma Tandayu, detailed the modus operandi used by the perpetrators, who disguised the etomidate liquid inside everyday product packaging, such as soap and coconut oil bottles. Police are currently hunting three other individuals placed on the Most Wanted List (DPO), namely DN, HC, and SS.

Wisnu emphasised that this success was the result of synergy between the National Police Narcotics Unit and Customs authorities. “This exposure has the potential to save approximately 55,928 lives from narcotics abuse,” he concluded.

Further investigations into these drug abuse cases revealed that the network extends from Banjarmasin to Surabaya. Additionally, an international network involving Kazakhstan was uncovered, with suspects GT and IM found in possession of 49.18 grams of methamphetamine.