Police Uncover Etomidate Case in North Jakarta, Seize 276 Vape Cartridges

North Jakarta Police have dismantled a drug operation involving etomidate, a narcotic substance, cleverly packaged within vape cartridges and distributed at a nightclub in Penjaringan. The investigation began after the management of the establishment reported suspicious activity related to the distribution of these illicit vape products.

During a raid, police apprehended a suspect, identified by the initials FIS, along with significant evidence. This included 16 cartridges containing mango-flavored etomidate (116.9 grams) and 7 cartridges with passion fruit-flavored etomidate (56.9 grams). Additionally, 4 cartridges containing a mix of passion fruit and mango flavors (40 grams) were confiscated. A second suspect, WS, was also arrested at the same venue.

Further investigation revealed that FIS acted as a courier for the etomidate-laced vape cartridges, while WS was responsible for their distribution. Police then expanded their investigation to an apartment in Kalideres, West Jakarta, believed to be a storage location for the illegal substances. At this location, officers seized a substantial quantity of additional evidence: 61 cartridges of tea-flavored etomidate (483 grams), 60 cartridges of lychee-flavored etomidate (494.2 grams), 63 cartridges of grape-flavored etomidate (498.7 grams), and 64 cartridges of mango-flavored etomidate (508 grams).

In total, police confiscated 276 etomidate vape cartridges ready for distribution. The suspects face charges under Indonesian narcotics laws, including Article 119 Paragraph 2 of Law No. 35 of 2009 concerning Narcotics, as amended by Law No. 1 of 2026, and/or Article 609 Paragraph 2 of Law No. 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code, as amended by Law No. 1 of 2026.