Sidoarjo Police Bust Etomidate Trafficking Ring, Two Malaysian Nationals Arrested
The Sidoarjo Police Criminal Investigation Unit (Satresnarkoba) has successfully uncovered a distribution case of Etomidate, a liquid narcotic suspected to involve an international network. During the operation, officers detained two foreign nationals from Malaysia and seized liquid narcotics with an economic value reaching Rp45 billion.
The two suspects, identified by the initials MHH (26) and MR (24), are known to be citizens of Sarawak, Malaysia. From the suspects, police seized three bottles of Etomidate liquid with a total volume of 1,290 millilitres, or more than one litre.
Sidoarjo Police Chief, Kombes Christian Tobing, stated that the exposure of this major case began with the arrest of suspect MHH near Juanda International Airport, Sidoarjo. Following the initial arrest, officers conducted further investigations that led to the capital city.
“The development from the first arrest subsequently led to the arrest of the second suspect, MR, in Jakarta,” said Tobing.
Based on in-depth investigations, Etomidate is a chemical substance commonly used in the medical field as an anaesthetic to induce unconsciousness in patients during surgery. However, in this case, the dangerous substance is strongly suspected of being misused as an additive in electronic cigarette liquids, or vape liquid.
Police strongly suspect that this distribution route is controlled by a transnational syndicate. From investigations, both suspects admitted to smuggling the goods under the orders of a man identified by the initial H, located in Malaysia. Meanwhile, the supply of the Etomidate liquid is suspected to be produced in Thailand.
Currently, both Malaysian nationals are officially detained at the Sidoarjo Police headquarters to undergo further investigation. The Sidoarjo Police Criminal Investigation Unit has also emphasised that they are continuing field developments and are hunting for other individuals involved in this liquid narcotics distribution network.