Police Uncover Hidden Laboratory in Tangerang

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Metro Jaya Police Narcotics Directorate has uncovered a hidden or clandestine laboratory producing Schedule II narcotics of the type etomidate, operating in the River Side Apartment area in Tangerang Regency, Banten.

The Director of Narcotics Investigations at Metro Jaya Police, Senior Commissioner Ahmad David, in a written statement in Jakarta on Tuesday, explained that the raid took place on Friday (17/4) around 19:00 WIB.

“In this uncovering, police secured one suspect with the initials CK (40), a Malaysian national, who is suspected of acting as the manager as well as the operator of the production of etomidate liquid in vape cartridge form,” he said.

From the search results, police found various pieces of evidence, 30 litres of propylene glycol liquid, 2,539.44 grams of etomidate powder, estimated to be able to produce up to 380,996 ready-to-distribute vape cartridges.

“In addition, hundreds of cartridges containing etomidate liquid were seized, along with production equipment such as a press machine, liquid injection tools, mixer, and scales,” David said.

From all the evidence seized, if converted to the selling value of narcotics evidence in the black market, Metro Jaya Police has confiscated assets worth Rp762 billion and has saved 380,996 lives of DKI Jakarta residents from the dangers of drug abuse.

The uncovering of this case began with information from the public regarding alleged narcotics distribution activities in the area. After conducting an investigation, the police successfully secured the suspect and then developed the case, finding the laboratory still within the same apartment complex.

“Currently, the suspected perpetrator and the evidence have been brought to the Metro Jaya Police Narcotics Directorate Headquarters for further investigation purposes,” David stated.