The BNN also clarified that the type of drug produced and sold at the nightclub was liquid ecstasy, not liquid meth as previously reported.

BNN drug control head Insp. Gen. Arman Depari told journalists on Thursday that the liquid ecstasy had the chemical formula MDA, instead of the usual MDMA. “This is not a new type of ecstasy, just a very rare one,” he said.

Packaged in 330 ml mineral water bottles and carrying names like “Aqua Getar” (quivering water), “Aqua Setan” (Satan’s water), and “Vitamin”, said Arman, the effect of the drug was similar to that of MDMA.

MDA was first sold as a recreational drug in the 1960s and was dubbed the “love drug”, because of its effect on enhancing mood and sensations.

MG nightclub guests had to undergo strict screening procedures and pay several fees to obtain the drug.

“Just to enter the club, guests are charged Rp 150,000 (US$11). Afterwards, they have to purchase a membership card, which is Rp 600,000. Before getting a membership card, the guests are interviewed by special nightclub staff. They also have to show their ID cards, and it must be an electronic ID,” said Arman. “Once the membership card is issued, guests pay Rp 400,000 for a bottle of liquid ecstasy.”

Guests were made to consume the drug on site, and were forbidden to take it outside the club.

Arman said the nightclub sold 150-170 bottles of liquid ecstasy every night, grossing as much as Rp 70 million ($5,200) per night.

The agency estimates that the club has about 700 active members.

The BNN raided the nightclub on Dec. 17 and tested urine samples from 170 nightclub guests, of which 120 tested positive for ecstasy.

Arman said drug traffickers produced the liquid form of ecstasy because it was easier and more practical than manufacturing pills. “Also, it can be camouflaged as common mineral water because it is a clear liquid,” he added. “It has a faster effect than conventional ecstasy pills, because liquids are more quickly absorbed and distributed through the body.”

Arman said that the drug organization that manufactured the liquid ecstasy obtained their chemical ingredients from two distributors that were now under BNN investigation.

“Any company distributing pharmaceutical chemicals should know [the identity of] their end-user. One of the two companies that supplied ingredients to the syndicate have a legal [distribution] license,” he said.

The agency is currently hunting for the leader of the drug organization that was operating through the nightclub, Agung Ashari alias Rudi.

“We suggest that Rudi, wherever he may be now, to surrender immediately. Trying to escape is considered resisting [arrest], and for that we can shoot to kill,” Arman said.

However, Arman preferred to capture Rudi alive for information on the drug’s distribution and production.

The agency searched Rudi’s residence in Cengkareng, West Jakarta, and seized a number of distillation equipment and chemical ingredients. The BNN also confiscated several assets belonging to Rudi, including the house, two cars, two laptops, two safes and several bank accounts.

Samsul Anwar alias Awang, who coordinated the drug’s distribution at MG International, surrendered to the agency on Wednesday, after he was placed on the BNN’s most wanted list following Sunday’s raid.

In addition to Awang, the BNN has arrested six of the group’s members, WA, FE, MI, FD and DW. All are being charged under Narcotics Law no. 35/2009, which carries a maximum death penalty. (gis)

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