Police Follow Up on Alleged Tramadol Sales at Pasar Rebo Shops After Firecracker Attacks

JAKARTA — The Pasar Rebo Police Sector has confirmed it will follow up on allegations of tramadol sales at several shops in the Pasar Rebo area of East Jakarta.

These allegations previously sparked public unrest and prompted vigilante actions, including firecrackers being thrown at shops suspected of selling the controlled substance.

“We will follow up immediately,” said Pasar Rebo Police Sector Chief AKP I Wayan Wijaya when contacted on Monday, 9 March 2026.

Wijaya emphasised that police had previously conducted raids at several shops suspected of selling controlled substances. “We have already carried out raids at shops suspected of selling controlled drugs, but nothing was found,” he said.

In a video circulating online, firecrackers can be seen being thrown into shops, whilst shop employees hide and flee when explosions occur.

Akbar, the video recorder (pseudonym), admitted to participating in throwing the firecrackers. He stated that the action was taken because residents’ reports to police were not being followed up.

“We took the initiative ourselves to use firecrackers. We reported to police but were not heard. After they visited, the shops reopened a week later, so we threw firecrackers,” Akbar said.

“It was due to the concerns of local residents. They shared their grievances with us through direct messages. When we threw the firecrackers, everyone ran away,” Akbar explained.