Serang Police Arrest Two Synthetic Tobacco Dealers Using Minor as Courier

The Narcotics Unit of the Serang City Police has arrested two synthetic tobacco dealers, identified as MF (21) and TM (19), for exploiting a minor as a courier. The 17-year-old was instructed to deliver and place the synthetic tobacco at predetermined locations.

‘We have successfully uncovered a synthetic tobacco production operation in the Cigelam area, Ciruas. We secured three individuals, one of whom is a minor. Evidence seized from the adult suspects includes 57 packets, while one packet was found on the minor,’ said Unit 2 Head of the Serang City Police Narcotics Unit, Ipda Arif Budianto, on Wednesday (15/7/2026).

Arif stated that MF and TM sold the synthetic tobacco online. The perpetrators directed the child to bury the synthetic tobacco at collection points for buyers. ‘The synthetic tobacco was wrapped in clear red plastic clip bags. The goods were hidden by burying them,’ he said.

The group obtained the synthetic tobacco online from an individual in Lenteng Agung, South Jakarta. MF and TM never met the seller. ‘These suspects never met the seller. We are still investigating this. The goods were placed in Lenteng Agung, South Jakarta,’ he added.

Police had previously raided the home-based production site in Cigelam, Ciruas, Serang, on 8 July 2026. During the operation, officers arrested two suspects with the initials MF and TM. A search uncovered 57 packets of synthetic tobacco with a gross weight of 59 grammes, two spray bottles containing synthetic liquid with a gross volume of 10 ml, and an additional packet of synthetic tobacco. Officers also seized a digital scale, two packs of clear plastic clips, a roll of tape, a sling bag, a used cigarette box, a plastic box, a plastic plate, and two packs of mole tobacco.

‘Based on the initial examination, the two suspects sold the synthetic tobacco at varying prices depending on the package size. A 0.8-gramme package was sold for IDR 50,000, a 1.5-gramme package for IDR 100,000, and a 2.5-gramme package for IDR 170,000,’ said Serang City Police Narcotics Chief, Commissioner Vhalio Agafe, on Tuesday (14/7).