TEMPO.CO, Bogor - The circulation of synthetic tobacco in Bogor Regency has finally targeted children. Head of Bogor Police Precinct Detective Unit, AKP Andri Alam Wijaya, said that he had received a drug abuse case by a grade 5 elementary school student.

"The circulation has reached elementary school children. A school give us their student to be fostered," he said at Bogor Regional Police Station, Cibinong, Bogor Regency, Tuesday, March 10, 2020.

According to Andri, the child ordered the synthetic tobacco via online. To prevent the circulation of synthetic tobacco, the Bogor District Police conduct cyber patrols to detect social media accounts that are misused for drug sales.

"We also ask parents to give extra attention to their children to avoid this kind of case because most children have phones and there is always a social media account that sells drugs online," he said.

The effect of synthetic tobacco is said to be more severe than other types of drugs. Those who consume it can lost consciousness. "Because with only three times of smoking it, you could feel 'high' and unconscious. It's [sadly] becoming a trend now," he said.

Bogor Police Narcotics Investigation Unit seized 5.22 kilograms of synthetic tobacco from two suspected dealers with initials AM (19) and DA (20) who were arrested in their rented house in Gunungputri District, Bogor Regency.

"They sell three grams for Rp 200,000 online," said Bogor Police Chief, AKBP Roland Ronaldy.

According to him, the Bogor District Police were being helped by JNE shipping service to disclose the manufacturing site which is located in Jati Sampurna, Bekasi.

Synthetic tobacco is a combination of ordinary tobacco mixed with alcohol and several other chemicals. "The production tools for making synthetic tobacco are pan, microwave, scale and filters," Roland said.

Antara | Galuh Kurnia Ramadhani (Intern Translator)