Indonesian authorities arrested a 34-year-old Singaporean man in northern Jakarta on July 17 following a raid on a residential property used for the production of etomidate vapes, commonly referred to as Kpods. According to Soekarno-Hatta International Airport Police Chief Senior Commissioner Wisnu Wardana, the suspect—identified by local media as LHM, alias Hayden—was apprehended while actively mixing the substance. The operation, located in the upscale Pantai Indah Kapuk (PIK) area, resulted in the seizure of thousands of drug cartridges and specialized laboratory equipment.
Origins of the Investigation
The raid followed an ongoing investigation triggered by the interception of smuggled goods at the airport. Customs officials previously seized two bottles containing 2,200g of etomidate that had been smuggled from Malaysia. According to Wisnu, this quantity of raw material was sufficient to produce up to 2,000 individual drug cartridges. Police and customs authorities launched a joint operation to dismantle the syndicate responsible for the smuggling, which eventually led them to the PIK residence.
Did You Know? The illicit production facility in the Pantai Indah Kapuk area had only begun manufacturing the drug cartridges one day prior to the police raid.
Operational Scale and Suspect Background
Investigators report that the suspect arrived in Indonesia on July 13. According to the head of the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport Police Narcotics Unit, Michael Kharisma Tandayu, the house was rented by another Singaporean national who had recruited the suspect. The intended production capacity for the facility was reportedly 500 etomidate vape cartridges per day. The house has since been sealed off, and the suspect remains in the custody of airport police for further interrogation regarding the duration and reach of the operation.
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities are currently working to determine the total number of cartridges produced and the full extent of the syndicate’s activity. While the suspect is in custody, the investigation remains active as officials trace the broader network involved in the smuggling and manufacturing process. Further details may emerge as police analyze the seized evidence and continue their search for other individuals involved in the recruitment and supply chain.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the substance being produced in the Jakarta raid?
The facility was used to produce etomidate vapes, which are also known as Kpods.
How did the police locate the production facility?
The raid was the result of a joint operation by police and customs following the interception of 2,200g of smuggled etomidate at the airport.
What was the production capacity of the house?
According to the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport Police Narcotics Unit, the suspect was recruited to produce 500 cartridges per day.
How will the discovery of this production site influence future customs monitoring for similar substances?