Police Uncover Etomidate Distribution Using 'Drop-off System' in West Jakarta

The Narcotics Investigation Directorate of the Metro Jaya Regional Police has exposed a distribution method for the narcotic etomidate using a ‘drop-off system’ and subsequently arrested a suspect identified by the initials I.H. (29) in the Grogol Petamburan area, West Jakarta.

During the operation, police seized evidence consisting of 261 pieces of etomidate stored inside a red handbag.

“The Narcotics Investigation Directorate of the Metro Jaya Regional Police successfully apprehended one perpetrator, I.H. (29), related to the crime of Class II narcotics involving 261 pieces of etomidate in the Grogol Petamburan area, West Jakarta,” stated Kompol Ardyan Yudo Setyantono, Sub-Director of Division 1 of the Metro Jaya Regional Police Narcotics Investigation Directorate, in Jakarta on Tuesday.

Ardyan revealed that based on preliminary investigations, the suspect admitted to obtaining the illegal substances using the ‘drop-off system’ method.

“This involves picking up narcotics at a secret location pre-determined by the dealer network without any direct face-to-face contact,” he said.

The case came to light following reports from the public regarding suspected narcotics abuse and distribution in the West Jakarta area.

Acting on this information, the team moved to the location and located the suspect on Friday (18/9) at approximately 19:47 WIB.

“During the search at the scene, officers found a red handbag containing four bags of etomidate with a total of 261 pieces,” said Ardyan.

He added that the suspect, I.H., along with all the evidence, has been taken to the Metro Jaya Regional Police Narcotics Investigation Directorate office to undergo intensive interrogation and further investigation to dismantle the primary supplier network behind the ‘drop-off’ transactions.

Meanwhile, the Head of Public Relations for the Metro Jaya Regional Police, Kombes Pol Budi Hermanto, emphasised that drug eradication is a shared responsibility.

“No matter how small the information from the public, it is very useful for the police; it starts from our closest environment and surroundings for us to care together,” said Budi.

He also urged citizens to immediately report any potential threats to public security and order through the National Police Call Centre 110, which is active 24 hours a day.