Two Toy Vendors in Lombok Caught in BPOM Sting Operation: How Did This Happen?

Two itinerant toy vendors in Dusun Damarata, Desa Paok Motong, Kecamatan Masbagik, Lombok Timur, Nusa Tenggara Barat (NTB), were caught in a sting operation (OTT). They were unable to resist when the Balai Besar Pengawas Obat dan Makanan (BBPOM) Mataram, along with the Koordinator dan Pengawas Penyidik Pegawai Negeri Sipil Kepolisian Daerah (Korwas PPNS) of Polda NTB, apprehended them both. In the operation, officers secured two individuals with the initials AS as the recipient of the package and TX as the owner of the goods. Both are known to work as itinerant toy vendors, said the Head of BBPOM Mataram, Yogi Abaso, in Mataram on Tuesday night (21/4/2026). AS and TX sold hundreds of tablets of suspected illegal drugs through social media (social media) and shipped them via courier services. Yogi revealed that officers seized hundreds of unmarked tablets recognised as tramadol. Tramadol is a potent drug in the category of certain drugs (OOT) that may only be used with a doctor’s prescription. Yogi emphasised that the misuse of illegal drugs can pose serious health risks, such as causing dependence or addiction, neurological disorders, disrupted respiration, or even death. The misuse of certain drugs is currently a serious concern because it endangers public health, particularly among the younger generation, he explained. For their actions, the perpetrators face criminal sanctions in accordance with Law No. 17 of 2023 on Health, with a maximum prison sentence of 12 years or a fine of up to Rp 15 billion, Yogi stated. Yogi urged the public to purchase medicines through official channels, such as pharmacies or drug stores. For potent drugs in particular, the public must obtain a doctor’s prescription.