Police arrest pharmaceutical drug distributor near Tanah Abang Station
Jakarta — The Narcotics Crime Unit (Satresnarkoba) of Jakarta Central Police has arrested a man suspected of distributing pharmaceutical drugs without authorisation at multiple locations around Tanah Abang Station.
“We will not provide space for perpetrators of illegal drug trafficking in the Jakarta Central region,” said Jakarta Central Police Chief Brigadier General Reynold E.P Hutagalung at a press briefing in Jakarta on Sunday.
He emphasised that every community report would be followed up to maintain public safety and health.
Reynold stated that the arrest was conducted by Unit 1 and Unit 2 of the Narcotics Crime Unit of Jakarta Central Police on Saturday evening (14 March) following public reports about the prevalence of pharmaceutical drug transactions in the area.
He said the police were committed to eradicating illegal drug distribution that could damage society, particularly young people.
The suspects were apprehended at four different locations: a small shop on Jalan Cempaka Putih Utara in Kelurahan Cempaka Baru, Kecamatan Kemayoran; in front of Tanah Abang Station; and on Jalan Jembatan Tinggi in Kelurahan Kebon Kacang, Kecamatan Tanah Abang, Jakarta Central.
From the suspects, police seized evidence comprising 1,594 tramadol tablets, 302 heximer tablets, and 218 trihexyphenidyl tablets.
The case began with community information regarding the prevalence of pharmaceutical drug transactions at several points in Jakarta Central. Following this report, officers conducted an investigation and eventually secured the perpetrators.
“After investigation, officers successfully apprehended four individuals suspected of being distributors. During searches, thousands of pharmaceutical tablets ready for distribution were found,” he said.
Police are continuing to develop the case to uncover the possibility of other perpetrators. The suspects had been selling these pharmaceutical drugs freely without doctor’s prescriptions. “We are still investigating the possibility of other distribution networks,” he added.
The suspects are charged under Law Number 17 of 2023 concerning Health, specifically regarding the production or distribution of pharmaceutical products that do not meet safety, efficacy and quality standards. The criminal penalty can reach 12 years imprisonment or a maximum fine of IDR 5 billion.