Police foil distribution of dozens of etomidate narcotics in Central Jakarta

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Narcotics Directorate of the Jakarta Metropolitan Police has foiled the distribution of 35 cartridges of etomidate, a type of narcotic, in the Central Jakarta area.

Head of Unit 1, Sub-Directorate 3, Narcotics Directorate of the Jakarta Metropolitan Police, AKP Ari Purwanto, stated on Thursday that three suspects, identified by their initials A, C, and R, were arrested in connection with the case.

“We have secured three young men suspected of being involved in the misuse and distribution of the substance,” he said.

Ari explained that the arrests were made on Monday (February 23) at around 12:00 PM at a house located on Jalan A, Ujung Gang U, RT 02/RW 08 No. 9, Karanganyar Village, Sawah Besar District, Central Jakarta.

“This operation began with reports from the public regarding the alleged distribution of vape containing etomidate in the area,” he said.

After conducting an investigation, the police arrived at the location and successfully secured the suspects and found evidence in the form of 35 cartridges of etomidate.

The National Police’s Directorate of Narcotics Criminal Investigation (Dittipidnarkoba) stated that etomidate (when used in vape/etomidate vape) is now classified as a narcotic.

The Director of Narcotics Criminal Investigation (Dirtipidnarkoba) of the National Police, Brigadier General Pol. Eko Hadi Santoso, said that this classification is regulated in the Regulation of the Minister of Health (Permenkes) of the Republic of Indonesia Number 15 of 2025 concerning Amendments to the Classification of Narcotics.

With etomidate now included in the category of narcotics, users can be charged under the Narcotics Law.

According to the Regulation of the Minister of Health Number 15 of 2025, etomidate is classified as a type II narcotic.