Thousands of Illegal Pills Seized, Two Dealers Arrested in Tanah Abang Raid

A joint task force arrested two drug dealers and seized over 4,000 illegal tramadol and hexymer pills during a raid at Tanah Abang Market in Central Jakarta on Thursday afternoon. The operation involved the Civil Service Police Unit (Satpol PP), the Central Jakarta Social Service Sub-department, the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BBPOM), the police, and the military as part of efforts to eradicate the circulation of illegal drugs in the area.

Central Jakarta Mayor Arifin stated that the two apprehended dealers were not taken to a DKI Jakarta government social institution but were handed over to the police for legal proceedings. ‘The two dealers of illegal tramadol and hexymer caught in Tanah Abang today were not taken to the social home, but were handed over to the police to be processed according to the law,’ Arifin said on Thursday.

He explained that plainclothes personnel conducted the operation at Tanah Abang Market and managed to detain two of the sellers as they attempted to flee. The dealers were then transported to the Central Jakarta Mayor’s Office using a Social Service Sub-department vehicle. During a search of a sling bag belonging to one of the dealers, a 29-year-old named Rizky, officers discovered more than 4,000 pills of tramadol and hexymer along with IDR 4.2 million in cash from sales.

‘The dealers are subject to legal sanctions because most of the drugs sold do not meet official distribution standards, the brand attributes are unclear, and the drug names are not listed,’ Arifin said. He added that the circulation of counterfeit or illegal drugs without clear dosages and permits is highly dangerous to the health of people who buy them freely.

Arifin further noted that the operation involved Satpol PP personnel from other areas because the Tanah Abang region borders West Jakarta. He said the operation is part of a commitment with residents and community organisations in Tanah Abang who have declared a pledge to eradicate the sale of illegal drugs without distribution permits. ‘The operation also involved West Jakarta Satpol PP personnel so that when they ran to other areas, they were immediately secured together, and vice versa,’ Arifin revealed.