Police Uncover International Etomidate Distribution Network

The Narcotics Investigation Directorate of the Jakarta Metropolitan Police has uncovered the circulation of a Category II narcotic, etomidate, packaged in vape cartridges, in the areas of West Jakarta and South Jakarta.

“The Jakarta Metropolitan Police succeeded in uncovering the circulation of a Category II narcotic of the etomidate type by an international network at six different crime scenes in West Jakarta and South Jakarta,” said the Head of Sub-Directorate 3 of the Narcotics Directorate, AKBP Ade Candra, in a statement on Tuesday (28 July).

The disclosure began when police received information from members of the public regarding narcotics transactions in the South Jakarta area on Tuesday (21 July).

Following up on the information, the team carried out investigation, surveillance and location mapping, and succeeded in arresting a man with the initials R (22) who was suspected of being about to conduct a transaction.

During a body search, police found three etomidate cartridges kept inside a paper bag. Based on the results of preliminary examination, investigators then extended the operation to several other locations.

Police then visited a house in the South Jakarta area. At this location, police secured a man with the initials AG (28) and found 171 etomidate cartridges along with a number of supporting items of evidence.

Police continued their investigation and arrested two other individuals, namely AF (29) and AM (36). Based on interrogation, both admitted they were still storing evidence at an apartment in the South Jakarta area.

“When a search was carried out at the apartment, police found 4,384 etomidate cartridges stored inside suitcases and bags,” said Ade.

Police then continued their investigation based on the testimony of suspect R to several locations in South Jakarta on Thursday (23 July). As a result, police found a further 4,140 etomidate cartridges at different locations in the South Jakarta area.

“The evidence amounts to 8,698 cartridges containing etomidate, along with four suspects comprising three men with the initials R (22), AF (29) and AG (28), and one woman with the initials AM (36),” said Ade.

Ade said the evidence and the suspects were still undergoing further investigation at the Narcotics Investigation Directorate of the Jakarta Metropolitan Police.