Riau Islands Regional Police Destroy 2,902 Etomidate Cartridges and Narcotics
Batam (ANTARA) - The Riau Islands Regional Police (Polda Kepri) have destroyed 2,902 cartridges containing etomidate as well as various narcotics evidence uncovered during the investigation of 26 cases in Batam City.
The Deputy Director of Narcotics Investigation at Polda Kepri, AKBP Achmad Suherlan, stated in Batam on Thursday that the evidence destroyed was the result of investigations conducted between 12 June and 18 August 2024.
“Today, we are carrying out the destruction of evidence uncovered during the period of 12 June to 18 August 2024. The number of cases involves 26 police reports with 28 suspects,” said Achmad.
The destroyed evidence consisted of 4,834.36 grams of methamphetamine from a total of 4,916 grams seized, and 2,902 cartridges containing etomidate from a total of 2,949 cartridges.
Additionally, the police destroyed 5,605.54 grams of cannabis from a total of 5,640.54 grams, as well as 1,174 ecstasy pills from a total of 1,223 pills.
Achmad noted that some of the breakthroughs were achieved through cooperation with Customs, including two cases with crime scenes at Hang Nadim International Airport in Batam.
“From these case investigations, there are two police reports resulting from joint investigations with colleagues from Customs, with the crime scenes located at Hang Nadim Airport, involving methamphetamine as evidence,” he said.
In those two cases, authorities secured 195.17 grams and 194.40 grams of methamphetamine, respectively, which were also destroyed.
According to Achmad, the methods used in these two cases involved hiding the evidence on the suspects’ bodies or within their belongings.
“The modus operandi remains the same; the goods were disguised within the body or within their luggage,” he said.
He added that the suspects apprehended in these investigations played roles such as transporting or offering the goods to potential buyers.
Regarding the etomidate, Achmad stated that these items frequently enter the Riau Islands region via sea routes.
“As for the etomidate, many enter directly from abroad via sea routes, for example, through fishermen,” he said.
The destruction was carried out on evidence that has obtained legal finality, while some evidence has been set aside for the purposes of further investigation and evidence in court.