Jakarta. Indonesia is not planning to classify vape liquids as narcotics for now, even as authorities uncover new cases of psychoactive substances being smuggled into the country disguised as electronic cigarettes. This stance contrasts sharply with Singapore’s decision to criminalize modified vaping products as drug offenses.

The National Narcotics Agency (BNN) said it recently foiled attempts to bring in synthetic marijuana and ketamine intended for use in vape cartridges. Shipments from Malaysia and France were intercepted earlier this month, including three kilograms of ketamine powder, 1,860 vape cartridges filled with illegal substances, and 80 milliliters of synthetic cannabis MDMB-4en-PINACA.

 “This indicates that new psychoactive substances with narcotics-like effects are spreading rapidly in Indonesia,” BNN chief Marthinus Hukom said in Jakarta on Friday.

Despite the alarming trend, Marthinus stressed that the government does not intend to impose a blanket ban on vaping. “It’s not about prohibition. What we must do is differentiate between vapes used for smoking and those exploited by certain groups for crime,” he said.

The seized cartridges contained ketamine and etomidate, an anesthetic used in hospitals to induce sedation. While not classified as narcotics under Indonesian law, etomidate is a controlled psychotropic substance that can impair the central nervous system and carry a high risk of misuse. Meanwhile, ketamine falls under Group IV narcotics in accordance with the law on narcotics.

Indonesia has stepped up cooperation between BNN, Customs, the Health Ministry, and the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency to close loopholes in the import and distribution of modified vape devices. Hundreds of vape products collected from the domestic market are being tested at BNN’s laboratory, with 187 samples already under review.

Singapore is taking a far tougher line. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced in his National Day Rally speech last week that the city-state will treat harmful vape products as narcotics cases rather than tobacco-related offenses.

“Many of these vapes are laced with addictive and harmful substances like etomidate. Right now it’s etomidate. In the future, it could be something worse, stronger, or far more dangerous drugs,” Wong warned.

Singapore has banned vaping outright and recently conducted undercover operations in its Central Business District, where authorities arrested 18 people and seized 82 devices. Offenders face fines of up to S$2,000 ($1,480), with new rules set to introduce jail terms and mandatory rehabilitation programs for addicted users.

Wong said the crackdown will be backed by a nationwide education campaign and stronger enforcement led by the Home Affairs and Health ministries.

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