Arya Dipa, Bandung – The National Narcotics Agency (BNN) seized a huge haul of carisoprodol (Soma), known locally as "PCC", during a raid on four houses running an illicit drug manufacturing operation at a housing complex in Arcamanik district of Bandung, West Java.
Led by BNN eradication deputy head Insp. Gen. Arman Depari from Sunday to Monday, the raid confiscated millions of packets containing carisoprodol pills, classified as a type-1 narcotic, as well as a number of pill presses.
"We also found [discarded] defective pills. We probably [seized] a total of four million pills," Arman said on the sidelines of the operation on Monday.
He said that the makeshift pill factory was operated out of four interconnected houses that had been designed specifically to manufacture carisoprodol. "Around three million pills were ready to be distributed," Arman added.
The anti-drug agency named five suspects in the case, identified only by their initials CRH, S, MIK, SU and IW. The suspects were known members of a crime network in Java and Kalimantan, according to Arman.
The five have been charged under Law No. 35/2009 on narcotics, which carries the death penalty.
In addition to the drug haul, BNN agents also confiscated chemicals presumably used as raw materials to manufacture the drugs, as well as ovens, packing machines, scales and filters. They also confiscated the suspects' vehicles and communication equipment.
In its 2018 report, the Indonesian Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) advised tighter supervision of drugs containing carisoprodol, as the distribution permit for the drug, both locally produced and imported, had been revoked in 2013.
Bandung Mayor Oded M. Danial commented on the raid, saying that the houses used in the illegal drug cottage industry were properties of the municipal administration that had been leased to the public.
"In accordance with established policy, the assets were leased as residential property," Oded said.
He added that the administration was working with the Bandung Police to take strict action against anyone found to be misusing state assets. (rfa)