Master’s Student in Notary Studies Arrested for Online Production and Sale of Synthetic Tobacco

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - A master’s degree student in Notary Studies, identified as AL (26), was arrested along with three associates in a synthetic tobacco narcotics distribution case.

The three companions arrested alongside AL were NK (26), MR (25), and IN (26).

All four young men were detained on suspicion of producing and distributing synthetic tobacco narcotics.

To the police, AL admitted he is a master’s student in Notary Studies and currently unemployed.

"Not a notary yet?" West Jakarta Metro Police Chief Kombes Nasriadi asked the suspect during a press conference on Friday (18/9/2026).

AL responded that he had not yet worked, admitting he resorted to selling synthetic tobacco attracted by the profits.

He also revealed that the idea to sell synthetic tobacco was a joint initiative among the four.

"It was a shared idea, Sir," the suspect answered the chief’s question.

Learning to Make Synthetic Tobacco Online

Meanwhile, another suspect, NK, stated that he initially obtained PINACA liquid from an Instagram account.

"It first appeared on Snapgram," NK told the police.

He then contacted the account owner via direct message (DM) with the intent to purchase the PINACA liquid.

"I first asked for the price, then the owner explained how to make it," Nasriadi explained.

Earlier reports mentioned that the police arrested four youths linked to the illegal circulation of synthetic tobacco narcotics.

They allegedly produced and sold synthetic tobacco online.

Nasriadi said the case was uncovered following public reports.