Bali cops bust 4 drug traffickers with over 37,000 pills for year-end parties

Police in Bali have confiscated tens of thousands of trihexyphenidyl pills, announced on Monday, December 12, 2022. The stash was seized during two different raids and led to the arrest of four individuals.

“Four suspects from different networks were arrested at two different crime scenes with a total of 37,159 pills secured as evidence,” mentions Denpasar Police Commissioner, Bambang Yugo Pamungkas.

The first arrest was made on December 3 when police seized a total of 5,000 pills placed in bottles and wrapped in plastic. The second time around on December 8, police apprehended 32,000 white-coloured pills and 159 yellow ones.

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“The distribution of these pills were indeed intended towards youngsters, generally because they’re easier to get and are sold at a cheaper price [than other drugs]," Pamungkas mentions, further stating that they were set to be given out to those celebrating the New Year.

He goes on to mention that the arrests were made thanks to a tipoff on drug smuggling activities in the areas of Badung, Denpasar and Jimbaran.

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If found guilty, the suspects will face a maximum prison sentence of 15 years under Indonesia’s Law on Health. The arrested four have confessed to having sold the pills since November 2022.

Locally known as ‘pil koplo’, trihexyphenidyl pills are used as antimuscarinic medication that helps relax muscles and nerve impulses that control muscle functions. They become subject to recreational use due to their ability to enhance moods and bring about a momentary feeling of euphoria.

[Via: Liputan6 and Kumparan]

Amira Waworuntu is Mixmag Asia’s Editor, follow her on Instagram.