Police Bust Zenith Drug Factory in Semarang, Two Arrested, Eight Others Fugitives

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Police have dismantled a home-based production operation (clandestine laboratory) for the drug Zenith operating in Semarang, Central Java.

The Head of Public Relations for Metro Jaya Regional Police, Senior Commissioner Pol Budi Hermanto, stated that the bust of this drug factory stemmed from drug trafficking and prohibited medicine practices in the West Jakarta area.

On Thursday (9/4/2026) afternoon, a suspect with initials P was apprehended in the Penjaringan area, North Jakarta. Police also seized 120,000 Zenith tablets.

“Based on initial statements, P is suspected of acting as a courier under the control of the main suspect with initials D, who operates the factory from out of town,” Budi said in his statement to Kompas.com on Tuesday (14/4/2026).

The investigation was then developed to a warehouse converted into a large-scale Zenith production factory in Wonolopo Village, Mijen, Semarang.

“At the location, police seized 186,000 Zenith tablets ready for distribution as well as 1.83 tons of precursor raw materials ready to be processed into millions of prohibited drug tablets,” Budi explained.

In addition, police also seized automatic printing machines and material processing equipment. These machines were used to produce drugs in large quantities.

According to Budi, this disclosure means the protection of 4.3 million souls.

“Police ensure that this network targets groups of teenagers and workers as the main market, who are the pillars of the nation’s future,” he said.

Now, the two suspects are detained at the West Jakarta Police Resort Detention Centre. They are charged under Article 610 paragraph (2) and Article 609 paragraph (2) of the Criminal Code in conjunction with Law No. 35 of 2009 on Narcotics, with a maximum criminal penalty.

In addition, police are still hunting for eight other perpetrators who have been added to the Most Wanted List (DPO).