JAKARTA: A Navy team thwarted an attempt to smuggle 240 vape cartridges containing etomidate in the waters of Manteras Besar Island in Karimun regency, Riau Islands, during a routine border patrol along Durian Strait on Monday (Sept 7).
Quick Response Region Naval Command (QRRNC) IV personnel from Tanjung Balai Karimun Naval Base and Cakra Task Force team from Naval Intelligence Center (Pusintelal) detected a boat cruising at a high speed from Buru Island toward Batam Island. Despite being pursued and given a warning, the boat refused to stop and increased its speed.
The crewman was then seen dropping a white tote bag from the boat’s stern into the sea before escaping from the naval personnel.
After retrieving and inspecting the evidence, naval personnel found four packages wrapped in black plastic covers, each containing 60 vape cartridges. Sample testing by Naval Regional Command (Kodaeral) IV and the Batam Health Agency confirmed that the e-cigarette products contain etomidate.
Kodaeral IV deputy commander Cdre. Ketut Budiantara said the enforcement was part of the strict commitment to cutting off narcotics and dangerous substances distribution through the border area.
“The success was also the implementation of the Navy’s commitment to support government efforts to eradicate narcotics distribution and safeguard the people from the abuse of dangerous substances,” he said, as quoted by a press release issued by Kodaeral IV.
The confiscated evidence was immediately destroyed at Tanjung Balai Karimun Naval Base in the presence of the Regional Administration Leadership Forum (Forkopimda) to prevent abuse.
Sea patrols in Riau Islands will be increased to prevent future attempts. Commenting on rampant smuggling of liquid narcotics, National Narcotics Agency (BNN) chief Comr. Gen. Suyudi Ario Seto said liquid methamphetamine could be processed into vape cartridges.
“The drugs network exploits a lifestyle trend in the use of vapes,” he said during a press conference in Batam on Aug 21.
“The BNN strongly recommends a total ban on electronic cigarettes in Indonesia.”
The recommendation received support from House of Representatives Commission III chairman Habiburokhman. He said e-cigarettes have been transformed into the main device to consume liquid narcotics.
Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced a total ban on vapes on Aug 17, 2025 after rampant cases of e-cigarettes containing etomidate emerged.
The authorities in Singapore have also strengthened security and inspections at international ports with connection to Batam and other regions in Riau Islands.
The threat of drugs smuggling is clear after joint teams from various agencies thwarted three large-scale drugs smuggling efforts in August in and around Riau Islands.
A joint team consisting of personnel from Customs, the BNN, National Police and the Navy intercepted 1.3 tonnes of ketamine in North Berakit waters off Bintan Island on Aug 6.
Officers detained eight ship’s crew members, consisting of seven Myanmar nationals and a Taiwanese. They confiscated 65 packages of Chinese tea containing 1,300 packages of ketamine with a total weight of 1,300 kilograms worth some Rp 4.55 trillion (US$258 million).
The drugs were found in a hidden compartment near the ship’s bridge on Friday, Aug. 7, after a search using sniffer dogs. Another joint operation involving the BBN, Customs and Riau Islands Police intercepted 2.6 tonnes of liquid methamphetamine in Tanjung Parit waters in Bengkalis regency, Riau province, on Aug. 17 on board the Tanzanian-flagged MV Ocean Porter.
Officers detained 10 crew members who were all Myanmar nationals.
Meanwhile, 800 kg of ketamine were seized from the MV Fuchangxing 1 in Anambas waters on Aug 22.
The drugs were found in four hidden compartments. Officers also detained 10 crew members, consisting of nine Myanmar nationals and one Taiwanese, identified only as BNC, who has been named a suspect for his alleged role as cargo manager for a transnational syndicate. - The Jakarta Post/ANN
