Investigators from Sub-Directorate 3 of the Polda Metro Jaya Ditresnarkoba with a couple who are suspects at the scene of a clandestine lab producing illegal etomidate vape liquid in a townhouse in West Jakarta.

progresifjaya.co.id, JAKARTA – A young couple with the initials W (26) and FG (20) were arrested by the Operational Team of Sub-Directorate 3 of the Polda Metro Jaya Narcotics Directorate (Ditresnarkoba) for running a clandestine etomidate lab. The lab was located in a luxury townhouse in West Jakarta.

Etomidate is an ingredient in vape liquids. Because illegal vape liquids that use etomidate can provide an instant sedative effect, etomidate is now officially classified as a Schedule II narcotic in Indonesia.

Head of Sub-Directorate 3 of the Polda Metro Jaya Ditresnarkoba, AKBP Ade Chandra explained in his statement, that during the search, 369 e-cigarette cartridges containing the potent drug etomidate were found. Furthermore, various production equipment was found, such as gallon jugs and jugs filled with liquid, measuring cups, injection syringes, and a press.

“We secured 25.000 ml of production equipment and raw materials at the scene, which could produce 25.000 vape cartridges containing the narcotic etomidate. We also seized various types of packaging and thousands of empty cartridges ready for use,” said AKBP Ade Chandra on Tuesday, May 26, 2026.

Currently, the two suspects are languishing behind bars in the  detention cell. Investigators are still conducting a series of in-depth investigations into this case.

Writer/Editor: Bembo