Police seize illegal moisturizers, arrest producer
JAKARTA (JP): Police detectives have arrested a man for allegedly producing and distributing hand and body moisturizer without obtaining a permit from the Ministry of Health.
City police detective chief Col. Alex Bambang Riatmodjo told reporters on Wednesday that Joko Kusuma Tjiam, also known as Akiat, was apprehended during a raid one day earlier at his home on Jl. Petak Utara in the Citra III housing complex in Kalideres, West Jakarta.
Officers led by Capt. I. Ketut Sutar also seized bottles both empty and filled with a white lotion that Akiat allegedly formulated on his own.
Alex said the suspect, with the help of his employee, allegedly produced over the past seven months homemade lotion bearing the brand name of Alyssa Ashley and reportedly distributed it through the Asui Shop on Jl. Pintu Kecil and Gitando Shop on Jl. Pejagalan, both in West Jakarta.
Each plastic bottle had a label noting that the product could be used either by a male or female.
"This time we did the observations on our own," said Alex.
Among items seized from the suspect's house included a printing machine, a mold for producing plastic bottles, two machines to fill the lotion into the bottles, some 500 bottles in 300 milliliter and 500 milliliter sizes filled with lotion, four barrels of petrochemicals and other lotion ingredients, such as acid, alcohol, glycerin, white oil and perfume.
Police interrogators said the suspect explained the lotion was produced by using a simple technique of mixing chemicals in a certain way and heating it on the stove for about 30 minutes.
The lotion was then stirred for about five hours before it was filled into the bottles.
Fifteen dozen bottles were packed into each cardboard box.
At both shops, Akiat reportedly offered the lotion to customers for Rp 125,000 per dozen for 500-milliliter bottles and Rp 90,000 per dozen for 300-milliliter bottles.
When asked about the reason for not having a permit, Akiat said: "That is business. I have to sell the products first ... when sales are good, I'll get permission."
If convicted, Akiat could face a maximum penalty of seven years in jail and a fine of Rp 140 million for violating Article 81 of Law No. 23/1992 on Health.
Illegal production and distribution of health and beauty aids has been increasing in the capital since the economic crisis hit.
Most products are in the form of shampoos, soaps and other products for women. The items, which are not tested, have attracted many Jakartans seeking cheap products during the crisis as imported goods carry high prices. (ylt/bsr)