South Jakarta Police Uncover Sale of Prescription Drugs at Convenience Stores

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Narcotics Subdirectorate of the South Jakarta Metro Police Resort has uncovered the practice of buying and selling prescription drugs, such as psychotropics, at convenience stores scattered across several areas in South Jakarta. “Based on information from the public, we successfully uncovered a case of prescription drug distribution in several areas of South Jakarta,” said the Head of South Jakarta Metro Police Resort, Commissioner Pol I Putu Yuni Setiawan, in Jakarta on Thursday. Yuni stated that the suspects, initials MJ, MI, and MRA, were arrested at three different locations. The three suspects were apprehended in the Kebagusan, Kemang, and Cilandak areas. However, the suspects used the same modus operandi in distributing the prescription drugs. The suspects camouflaged by selling the prescription drugs at convenience stores. “Information was received from residents around the crime scenes that there was a convenience store that, in addition to selling groceries and daily necessities, also sold and distributed dangerous drugs or psychotropics,” he said. Meanwhile, the Head of the Narcotics Subdirectorate of the South Jakarta Metro Police Resort, AKBP Prasetyo Nugroho, explained that the prescription drugs were sold to various groups. “Those who frequently visit and buy from that convenience store are ordinary people who usually work as construction labourers,” Prasetyo said. From this case revelation, the police seized 8,286 pills of prescription drugs of various brands and a sum of cash suspected to be the proceeds of sales. Currently, the three suspects have been designated as suspects and are being detained at the South Jakarta Metro Police Resort Detention Centre. The suspects face a maximum penalty of 12 years’ imprisonment. Prasetyo urged the public, especially the younger generation, to stay away from consuming psychotropic prescription drugs and to report to the police via the 110 service if they find information related to narcotics distribution.