S'porean woman, 21, allegedly caught in Batam with etomidate vape cartridges in underwear

A 21-year-old Singaporean woman who was allegedly caught in Batam with about 40 etomidate vape cartridges hidden in her underwear has told police they were for her own use.

Police say they are still investigating where the drugs came from, and whether she has links to an international drug network.

Out of their packaging

Barelang police narcotics chief Arsyad Riyandi said the woman claimed she had brought the drugs to consume herself while in Batam, according to New Straits Times (NST).

Tribun Batam reported that she told police she had intended to use them to have fun on the island.

However, Arsyad noted that the cartridges had already been opened and were no longer in their original packaging.

He said: "Despite her claim, we are still investigating the origin of the drugs and the possibility of her links to an international drug network."

He added that foreigners caught with drugs in Indonesia face the same law as Indonesians.

Off the last ferry

The woman arrived at Harbour Bay International Ferry Terminal on the last ferry from Singapore on Sep. 3.

Customs officers were screening arriving passengers when they noticed her walking unusually, said Lucky Tamo, head of enforcement and investigation at Batam Customs.

According to NST, he said: "During a more detailed inspection, we found an item concealed in her crotch."

At a press conference on Sep. 17, he said the inspection scanner had picked up items she was not supposed to be carrying, per Tribun Batam.

According to reports, the cartridges were tested and found to contain etomidate.

Customs then handed her over to the Barelang police.