BALINEWSID.COM, JAKARTA — Indonesia’s Criminal Investigation Department (Bareskrim Polri), in cooperation with the Directorate General of Customs and Excise, has foiled an alleged international trafficking operation involving 5 kilograms of Etomidate from Malaysia and uncovered a suspected clandestine laboratory in North Jakarta used to produce Etomidate-laced vape products.

National Police Criminal Investigation Director for Drug Crimes Inspector General Eko Hadi Santoso said seven people had been arrested in connection with the case, including five Malaysian nationals, one Indonesian citizen and one Chinese national.

“Ten packages weighing a total gross weight of 5 kilograms were found. Customs laboratory tests confirmed that the powder contained Etomidate,” Eko said in a statement received in Jakarta on Monday (Sept. 28, 2026).

The case began when Customs and Excise officers at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport detained five Malaysian nationals on Friday (Sept. 25).

They were identified as Mohammad Zulhusni bin Ab Salin, Nur Aisyah binti Abdullah, Emanuel bin Harry, Prince Alvin Robin and Muhammad Adam bin Julle. Investigators allege that the five acted as couriers.

The suspects had traveled from Kuala Lumpur to Indonesia. Upon arrival at Soekarno-Hatta Airport, officers found two packages of suspected Etomidate powder on each suspect, with each package weighing approximately 500 grams.

The powder was concealed inside the insoles of the shoes worn by the suspects.

According to investigators, the five couriers said they had been instructed by a woman known only as “Madam” to transport Etomidate from Malaysia to Indonesia. They allegedly communicated with her through the Telegram messaging application.

After arriving in Jakarta, the couriers were instructed to meet at the Yello Hotel Harmoni, where the shoes containing the Etomidate were to be collected and placed in a red suitcase.

The suitcase was then allegedly intended to be handed over to Wu Song, a Chinese national whom investigators believe acted as both a courier and the person in control of the suspected clandestine laboratory.

Police subsequently arrested Wu after tracing information obtained from the Malaysian suspects. Officers found an apartment key in his possession belonging to a unit at Mediterania Marina Residence Tower in North Jakarta.

A search of the apartment uncovered equipment and materials allegedly used to manufacture vape products containing Etomidate.

Eko said Wu had been in Indonesia since Sept. 19 and had been staying at the apartment.

According to investigators, Wu told police that he had received instructions through a communication group called “SIGNAL” to record the inventory stored inside the apartment.

Wu also allegedly admitted that he had been instructed on Friday to collect Etomidate stored in a suitcase near the Yello Hotel Harmoni in Jakarta.

A forensic examination conducted by the National Police Forensic Laboratory on Sunday (Sept. 27) confirmed that the seized substance contained Etomidate.

Investigators also uncovered evidence suggesting that two of the Malaysian suspects may have previously transported Etomidate.

Mohammad Zulhusni bin Ab Salin and Nur Aisyah binti Abdullah allegedly made two previous shipments. The first shipment was from Malaysia to Tokyo for a payment of RM7,000, or about Rp30 million based on the exchange rate cited by police.

The second shipment was from Malaysia to Indonesia, for which they allegedly received RM9,000, estimated by police at between Rp30 million and Rp50 million.

Emanuel bin Harry, Prince Alvin Robin and Muhammad Adam bin Julle were allegedly carrying out the assignment for the first time.

Potential for 42,500 Vape Pods

Investigators said Wu initially claimed he had traveled to Indonesia on Sept. 19 for a holiday. After arriving, he allegedly met a man who introduced himself as Qing.

According to Wu’s account, Qing offered him free accommodation at an apartment, and Wu agreed to go with him.

Police said the materials later seized from the apartment had already been there when Wu arrived. Wu allegedly received instructions to count the inventory, including containers of liquid, empty cartridges and packaging materials, and report the numbers through a messaging group.

He also told investigators that he had not seen anyone come to collect the materials while he was staying at the apartment.

Police said Wu was paid RM4,000, or approximately Rp10 million, for his role.

Investigators found approximately 85,000 milliliters of liquid raw material at the apartment.

Using an assumption of 2 milliliters per pod, police estimated that the material could potentially produce around 42,500 pods.

Based on an assumed retail value of Rp3 million per pod, the potential economic value was estimated at Rp127.5 billion.

“Based on the preliminary calculation, the evidence is estimated to be linked to the potential circulation of around 42,400 Etomidate-containing pods, with an estimated 21,250 lives saved,” Eko said.

Police and Customs and Excise officials are continuing to investigate the case in an effort to uncover the wider international Etomidate trafficking network and prevent the substance from being manufactured and distributed in Indonesia in the form of vape products.