Police Raid Three Pharmaceutical Shops After Firecrackers Attack in East Jakarta
Jakarta (ANTARA) — Pasar Rebo Police District conducted raids on three pharmaceutical retailers suspected of selling controlled medicines following a viral incident in which unknown individuals fired firecrackers at shops on Jalan Raya Bogor, East Jakarta, on Monday evening, 9 March.
“We from Pasar Rebo Police District acted swiftly on the information by visiting the locations, particularly on Jalan Raya Bogor in front of PT Meiyume, in front of Mixue, and a third location on Jalan Lestari, Kalisari,” said Pasar Rebo Police Chief AKP I Wayan Wijaya at the East Jakarta Mayor’s Office on Tuesday.
He stated that the raid was conducted to address public concerns regarding the circulation of controlled medicines.
From inspections at the three locations, officers discovered medicines suspected to be classified as Schedule G medications, which should only be obtained with a doctor’s prescription.
In total, 15 bottles of Schedule G medicines were seized from the kiosks.
The raid involved local community leaders, including neighbourhood officials (RT and RW), and kiosk proprietors.
Officers then conducted searches within the kiosks, which were previously known to be rented for other purposes.
According to Wayan, the kiosks were initially used to sell cosmetics, mobile phone devices, and tissue products.
However, in practice, the kiosks were misused to sell controlled medicines illegally.
“Initially, these locations were rented for selling cosmetics, mobile phones, and tissues. However, it turned out they were being misused to sell controlled medicines,” explained Wayan.
Based on statements from kiosk proprietors, the premises had not been operating officially for approximately six months, but the perpetrators apparently opened the kiosks only briefly to avoid inspection by authorities.
“The kiosk had been closed for a long time — approximately six months according to the owner. However, they continued to operate intermittently, opening for about one to two hours and then closing again,” clarified Wayan.
Previously, firecrackers were thrown at one of the kiosks. The incident was allegedly triggered by residents’ frustration upon discovering the illegal pharmaceutical sales at the location.
When the incident occurred, the kiosk was open, so the firecracker attack attracted the attention of nearby residents.
In response to the incident, police urged the public not to take the law into their own hands if they discover suspected criminal activity.
“We from the police urge the public that if they find kiosks selling Schedule G medicines, they should immediately report to the authorities. We will follow up on such reports,” said Wayan.
He emphasised that vigilante actions, such as firing firecrackers, potentially endanger the surrounding environment and could even trigger fires.
“We ask the public not to take the law into their own hands as such actions could result in fires in the vicinity of the kiosk,” said Wayan.
The firecracker attack on the pharmaceutical shop went viral on Instagram accounts @infocibubur._ and @info.jakartatimurr.
The perpetrator was riding a motorcycle and stopped whilst igniting firecrackers before directing them towards the shop.
A motorcyclist who was shopping had to dodge when seeing firecrackers heading towards him.
The first volley entered the shop and exploded. The shop proprietor could only crouch when attacked by the unknown individual.
The young man’s action could have triggered a fire from firecracker sparks had they struck flammable materials inside the shop.
From the video audio, the firecracker attack appeared to be prompted by the perpetrator’s frustration that the pharmaceutical shop had not closed down.
The person recording the incident suspected that the pharmacy was backed by corrupt officials, which is why it continued to operate.