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

"They have sold approximately 500 grams, and we are working to find out where it has been sold. Hopefully, we can catch the buyers so it won’t spread further in the community," he said.

Evidence Valued Nearly Rp 1 Billion

The police seized numerous pieces of evidence, including dozens of bottles in various sizes containing the liquid.

Nasriadi estimated the value of the confiscated evidence at nearly Rp 1 billion.

"We estimate that the evidence we seized is worth almost Rp 1 billion and could potentially harm 1,250 individuals. We have saved those lives," he stated.

Initial interrogations revealed the suspects invested tens of millions of rupiah as capital.

However, after processing and marketing the product, their profits reached hundreds of millions of rupiah.

"The capital varied, starting from around Rp 20 million; they earned profits in the hundreds of millions," Nasriadi said.

Sales were conducted through closed networks.

The suspects offered their products online and to customers with whom they had previous private communications.

"The market is underground; not just anyone can buy it. Even online access is limited and strictly closed," he explained.

The police are continuing to develop the case to track down the owner of the social media account suspected of supplying and instructing the suspects.

The four suspects are now in custody and detained pending further legal proceedings.

They are charged under Article 610, paragraph (2), letter a and/or Article 609, paragraph (2), letter a of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code in conjunction with Law Number 1 of 2026 concerning Penal Adjustments, and/or Article 114, paragraph (2) of Law Number 35 of 2009 on Narcotics.