RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Authorities at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport have foiled an attempt by an international drug trafficking network to smuggle 8,600 milliliters of etomidate into Indonesia and arrested four foreign nationals in connection with the cases.

The suspects were identified as TN, a Singaporean citizen, CT, a Malaysian citizen, JZ, a Chinese citizen, and SP, a Thai citizen, Soekarno-Hatta Airport Police Chief Wisnu Wardana said on Monday, June 22, 2026.

Wisnu said the operation was carried out through cooperation between the airport police's narcotics unit and customs officials in monitoring international passenger arrivals.

"The cases show that Soekarno-Hatta Airport remains a target for international drug syndicates attempting to bring etomidate into Indonesia," he said.

Head of the airport police narcotics unit Michael Kharisma Tandayu said the arrests stemmed from three separate smuggling cases uncovered between February and May 2026 at Terminals 2 and 3 of the airport.

The first case was uncovered on May 21, 2026, at Terminal 2F International Arrivals. Officers became suspicious of luggage belonging to TN and CT, who had arrived from Malaysia on AirAsia flight QZ241.

A search of TN's red suitcase uncovered two silver plastic packages containing 2,000 milliliters of etomidate, weighing 1,995 grams. Authorities also found two bottles labeled "Dove" containing another 2,000 milliliters of etomidate in CT's silver suitcase, bringing the total seizure in the case to 4,000 milliliters.

TN was allegedly promised payment of 3,000 Singapore dollars (about IDR 42 million), while CT was offered a free trip to Indonesia. Police estimated the seized drugs had a market value of IDR 47.47 billion and could have been used to produce 6,782 vape cartridges containing etomidate.

The second case was uncovered on May 25, 2026, at Terminal 2F International Arrivals. Police arrested JZ, a Chinese national who arrived from Thailand on Thai Lion Air flight SL116.

Officers found a bottle containing 500 milliliters of etomidate, weighing 572.2 grams, hidden inside a plastic bag in his luggage.

Investigators said JZ had allegedly been instructed by a fugitive identified as HC to transport the substance from Thailand to Jakarta. He was reportedly promised 50,000 yuan (about IDR 132.5 million) for the job. The seized drugs were valued at approximately IDR 5.6 billion and could have produced around 800 vape cartridges.

The third case occurred on February 26, 2026, at Terminal 3 International Arrivals, where authorities arrested SP, a Thai citizen who arrived on Thai Airways flight TG435 from Bangkok.

Police found seven bottles containing etomidate disguised as everyday consumer products inside SP's luggage. The bottles contained a total of 4,100 milliliters of etomidate weighing 4,129 grams. SP was allegedly promised 80,000 baht (about IDR 43.6 million) for transporting the drugs.

According to Michael, the three cases resulted in the seizure of approximately 8,600 milliliters of etomidate with an estimated market value of IDR 97.87 billion.

Authorities estimate the seized liquid could have been processed into nearly 14,000 vape cartridges containing etomidate. (Diffa Sephiawardhani)