JAKARTA. The National Police have detained two more suspects in the fake vaccines syndicate case, bringing the total number up to 15 people. The two suspects, identified only as M and T, are alleged to be distributors and were detained in Semarang, Central Java, on Monday, the National Police's Criminal Investigation Department (Bareskrim) special economic crimes director Brig. Gen. Agung Setya said.
"We are currently focusing on the extent of the distribution of the fake vaccines," Agung said as quoted by Kompas.com
The police have not uncovered the pattern of distribution used by the latest suspects, and whether they only operated in Semarang or also covered other regions, he added.
The police’s preliminary investigation has revealed that the fake vaccines have spread beyond Jakarta, and also reached the provinces of Banten, West Java, Central Java, Yogyakarta and North Sumatra, Agung said. The police have questioned 18 witnesses in relation to the case, including people from hospitals, pharmacies, drug stores and others involved in the production process.
Police started their investigation following reports over suspicious vaccines for toddlers at several local health clinics (Puskesmas). The investigation then led to raids of home factories in Bintaro of South Tangerang, East Bekasi and Kemang Regency in West Java between June 16 and June 26. The suspects will be charged under the 2009 Health Law with a maximum penalty of 15 years and a Rp 1,5 billion ( US$ 111.940 ) fine.
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