Police Foil Money Laundering Scheme Selling Illegal Medicine Worth Billions
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17 September 2021 07:54 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The National Police Criminal Investigation Unit on Thursday arrested an alleged suspect of money laundering who used a Rp531 billion-worth business of illegal medicine trade to launder money operating in multiple regions, including Jakarta.
Police director of special economic crimes Brig. Gen. Helmy Santika said the case was able to be uncovered thanks to the partnership with The Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (PPATK).
He explains that “DP” had traded medicines illegally since 2011. The suspect claimed to be the owner of pharmaceutical store Flora Pharmacy, despite not having the skills or authority to issue prescription medication.
DP’s business model operates by offering potential customers - individuals and pharmacies - foreign medicines through the chat app WhatsApp. They eventually provide buyers with overseas medicines that enter Indonesia without the proper registration process and Food and Drugs Monitoring Agency (BPOM) permits.
In the arrest, Helmy said police confiscated 22 tablets of Favipiravir or Favimex, 11 packages of Crestor, four packages of Voltaren Gel, and a bank account with Rp530 billion savings. DP now faces multiple charges for money laundering.
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ANDITA RAHMA
