BNN warns of growing threat from liquid narcotics

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Head of the National Narcotics Agency (BNN), Commissioner General (Pol) Suyudi Ario Seto, has warned of the emergence of liquid narcotics as a new trend in drug-related crimes.

"Liquid narcotics have emerged and have been increasingly uncovered by the BNN, together with other law enforcement agencies, in recent months," he said in a statement on Tuesday.

Over the past two months, the agency has seized nearly eight tons of narcotics in four major cases.

One of these cases involved the seizure of approximately 3.37 tons of cannabis flower buds from Thailand that were intended to be exported to Europe and extracted into liquid narcotics.

In addition, his office has also uncovered cases involving the smuggling of etomidate and crystal methamphetamine in liquid form, highlighting the increasing diversity of narcotic forms and the methods used to smuggle and distribute them in Indonesia.

"We are also seeing a trend in how these substances are entering among young people, namely e-cigarettes or vapes. They appear to be using ordinary e-cigarettes, yet the devices contain liquid narcotics," Seto noted.

He said the BNN's recommendation for a total ban on e-cigarettes is based on laboratory analysis of 1,745 e-cigarette samples.

Of these, 1,716 samples were found to contain New Psychoactive Substances (NPS).

According to Seto, discussions with cardiologists, pulmonologists, and internal medicine specialists indicate that the chemical components of e-cigarettes pose serious health risks, particularly when the devices are used to deliver narcotics.

Seto said the evolving nature of drug-related crime has prompted BNN to recommend banning e-cigarette use in corporate workplaces.

This recommendation was conveyed, among others, to the national flag carrier, PT Garuda Indonesia, during a session aimed at raising awareness among Garuda Indonesia employees regarding the latest developments in narcotics trafficking in Indonesia.

In response to the recommendation, Garuda Indonesia President Director Glenny Kairupan reaffirmed the company's commitment to maintaining a safe, healthy work environment free from drug abuse.

He expressed hope that the collaboration with BNN would strengthen employees’ awareness of the dangers of drugs and help Garuda Indonesia staff carry out their duties professionally, especially in maintaining flight safety.

Related news: Police seize 7.2 kg of methamphetamine, arrest suspect in Jakarta

Translator: Agatha Olivia, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Bayu Prasetyo
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