Police seize illegal moisturizers, arrest producer
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)