Indonesian Police Name 'Whip Pink' Nitrous Oxide Producers as Suspects, Deny Food-Grade Claims

Indonesian police have declared two producers of nitrous oxide (N2O) under the brand "Whip Pink" as suspects, refuting claims that the product meets food-grade safety standards. The Directorate of Drug Crime at the Indonesian National Police's Criminal Investigation Department announced the designation of suspects on Thursday, July 23, 2026.

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If we look at their Business Identification Number (NIB), they state that it's food-grade, but our investigative findings differ.

Commissioner Zulkarnain Harahap, Head of Subdirectorate III of Drug Crime, stated that while the Business Identification Number (NIB) indicates food-grade status, investigative findings contradict this. The raw material, ammonium nitrate imported from Germany, is classified as medical grade. The process involves transferring the gas from large cylinders to smaller ones, which legally constitutes production. "Legally speaking, the act of altering the cylinder from large to small falls under the category of production," Harahap explained.

Evidence suggests the "Whip Pink" laughing gas is distributed to nightlife venues for recreational inhalation, rather than for culinary purposes. Investigators have uncovered sales receipts directly from the producer, PT SSS, to nightclubs. The gas is reportedly sold to patrons for inhalation via balloons. Some cylinders were found labeled with flavors, which police suspect is a tactic to disguise the illicit use of the gas.

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Legally speaking, the act of altering the cylinder from large to small falls under the category of production.

Examinations by the National Agency of Drug and Food Control (BPOM) and the Indonesian National Police laboratory confirmed the presence of N2O gas without any added flavors. The Criminal Investigation Department has detained two executives from PT SSS, identified by the initials AH and JH, who have been held at the police headquarters since Wednesday, July 22, 2026. Hammam Izzuddin contributed to this report.

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From the examination conducted by the National Agency of Drug and Food Control (BPOM) and the Indonesian National Police laboratory (Labfor), there is no flavor. It purely contains N2O gas.