Tangerang. The Food and Drug Authority (BPOM) has uncovered a warehouse in Tangerang, Banten, storing illegal imported traditional medicines, health supplements, and cosmetics worth more than Rp25 billion ($1.4 million).

The products, mainly imported from China, the United States, and Australia, were allegedly being stored before being distributed to consumers through e-commerce platforms, BPOM chief Taruna Ikrar said Wednesday.

The raid was conducted Tuesday afternoon at Laksana Business Park in Pakuhaji, Tangerang Regency, following an investigation triggered by BPOM’s cyber patrols.

Officials seized 44 types of traditional medicines and health supplements without marketing authorization, totaling 23,532 units and valued at about Rp6.1 billion.

They also found 243 types of cosmetics that lacked marketing authorization or were suspected of being counterfeit. The cosmetics totaled 436,059 units and were estimated to be worth Rp18.9 billion.

In total, BPOM identified 287 types of products that failed to meet regulatory requirements, with an estimated value exceeding Rp25 billion.

One of the products found was the Yuvita brand, an illegally imported health supplement. Officials also found traditional medicines from China that lacked the required authorization.

“Those products have not undergone BPOM evaluations for safety, efficacy, benefits, and quality,” Taruna said. “As a result, their contents and quality cannot be ascertained or guaranteed to be safe for the public.”

Taruna said illegal products could contain prohibited or hazardous substances or differ from the information stated on their labels.

The investigation began after BPOM’s cyber directorate detected the online sale of imported health supplements suspected of being distributed without marketing authorization.

The agency then conducted profiling and field investigations, which led officials to the Tangerang warehouse suspected of being used to store and distribute illegal imported products.

BPOM said the products were allegedly brought into Indonesia through general freight-forwarding services using routes that did not comply with regulations and, in some cases, without the required import documents.

The products were then allegedly smuggled into the country, stored at the warehouse, and distributed to consumers in various parts of Indonesia through e-commerce platforms.

BPOM has temporarily halted activities at the warehouse and secured all products found during the inspection. Samples have also been taken for laboratory testing.

The agency said the distribution of medicines, supplements, and cosmetics that fail to meet safety, efficacy, and quality requirements violates Indonesia’s Health Law No. 17/2023, which provides sanctions for parties producing or distributing pharmaceutical products that do not meet regulatory standards.

Taruna urged consumers to be particularly cautious when buying health products and cosmetics online.

He encouraged consumers to follow BPOM’s “Cek KLIK” campaign — checking the packaging, label, marketing authorization, and expiration date before buying or using a product.

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