A 21-year-old Singaporean woman has been detained in Batam after Indonesian authorities allegedly found about 40 vape cartridges containing etomidate concealed around her underwear and crotch area.
The woman, identified by Indonesian media by the initials WSB, was stopped after arriving at Harbour Bay International Ferry Terminal in Batam at about 10pm on 3 September. She had travelled on the last ferry from Singapore.
Officers Became Suspicious of How She Was Walking
According to Batam Customs enforcement and investigation chief Lucky Tamo, officers conducting passenger profiling became suspicious after noticing that the woman appeared to be walking unusually.
A more detailed inspection allegedly uncovered the cartridges concealed around her crotch area. Laboratory testing subsequently found that the liquid contained drugs, according to the Indonesian authorities.
The case was publicly presented on 17 September at the headquarters of the Batam, Rempang and Galang, or Barelang, Police.
Reports differ slightly on exactly how many cartridges were seized. The Jakarta Post, The Straits Times and Terasbatam reported 40 cartridges, while Indonesia’s Antara news agency and Batam Pos reported 46.
The haul can therefore be described as about 40 cartridges.
Woman Reportedly Said They Were for Personal Use
Barelang Police narcotics chief Arsyad Riyandi said the woman told investigators that the cartridges were intended for her own consumption while she was in Batam.
Local Indonesian outlet Ulasan reported that she claimed she had brought them to use while partying in Batam. Police, however, have not accepted her account as conclusive and are continuing to investigate where the cartridges came from and whether other people or a wider drug network were involved.
Mothership reported that police also noted that the cartridges had already been removed from their original packaging.
As of the latest reports on 21 September, she remained under investigation in Indonesia. There has been no reported conviction in the case.
Etomidate Is Also Tightly Controlled in Singapore
Etomidate is an anaesthetic medicine that should be administered under medical supervision. Singapore’s Health Sciences Authority has warned that misuse can cause effects including involuntary muscle movements, changes to breathing and blood pressure, seizures and psychosis.
Since 1 May 2026, etomidate and its analogues have been listed as Specified Psychoactive Substances under Singapore’s Tobacco and Vaporisers Control Act. Vaporisers themselves are also prohibited in Singapore.
In Indonesia, etomidate is classified as a Class II narcotic, according to Indonesian and Singapore media reports on the Batam case.
