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The Star
2 days ago
- Health
- The Star
Indonesia seizes record US$590mil in meth, uncovers maritime drug route in South-East Asia
JAKARTA: Indonesia is on track to record the largest seizure of drugs by the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) in six years, said the agency's chief, with confiscation of methamphetamine reaching 3.41 tonnes – with a street value of US$590 million – so far in 2025. This half-year haul has surpassed the total annual seizure in the previous five years. The latest raid in the waters off Batam in mid-May netted a record 2.1 tonnes of methamphetamine, a synthetic drug also known as meth. The amount can feed eight million addicts, with each gram typically consumed by four people. BNN confiscated less than a tonne for the whole of 2024, and between 2020 and 2023, annually netted between 1.2 tonnes and 2.8 tonnes, according to government data. Government agencies have also, so far in 2025, seized 2.65 tonnes of other drugs, such as marijuana and cocaine, with a street value of at least $95 million. In an interview on July 3, BNN chief Marthinus Hukom shed light on a drug-trafficking maritime route spanning Malaysia, the Philippines and Taiwan. 'The production was in Myanmar while the vessel was built in Thailand,' said Commissioner-General Marthinus, referring to the meth seizure in May. Large-scale production of meth, combined with an ongoing war in Myanmar since 2021, has driven up the supply of the illicit drug in South-east Asia, said a recent report by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Seizures of meth across the region were at record highs in 2024, totalling 236 tonnes – a 24 per cent increase compared with the 2023 haul, said UNODC. Meth, a powerful and fast-acting stimulant, can harm a person's heart, teeth and brain if used regularly. It can also cause paranoia, mood swings and memory loss. While there has been a slight decline in drug prevalence in Indonesia, it is still at a worrying level. Marijuana and meth are the two most-used drugs, followed by Ecstasy, ketamine, cocaine and prescription drug abuse. The number of police cases involving arrests of drug offenders in the first 11 months of 2024 stood at 53,672 – up from 50,291 cases in 2023, and 44,983 in 2022, according to government data. Marthinus revealed that for the large meth seizure in May, the drugs had been loaded onto a trade ship in the Andaman Sea off Myanmar. The vessel, Sea Dragon Tarawa, then sailed south through the Malacca Strait to the waters bordering Indonesia and Singapore. It later turned into the South China Sea, cruising off Kalimantan to drop off the meth packages for the Indonesian market, he said. The ship then headed into Philippine and Taiwan waters to unload more drugs. It later looped back to go back into the Andaman Sea, with the trip made several times. It was during one of those regular trips that the ship was caught near Batam, after leaving the Malacca Strait. Data of the trips made was collected by BNN from the vessel's Automatic Identification System satellites. Noting that drug packages sometimes fall off a vessel during trans-shipment, Marthinus said: 'Small boats pick up merchandise from the passing vessel. In the past, local fishermen have found drug packages floating on the sea off North Kalimantan.' The drugs dropped off near Kalimantan were taken to Java and Sulawesi, among other places. According to BNN's analysis, the drugs normally enter Malaysia via boats from Sarawak's capital Kuching and the Philippines through Tawi-Tawi and Mindanao islands. Singapore was not on the delivery list of the Sea Dragon Tarawa. 'We have cut the trade chain for not only Asean countries, but also Taiwan. We expect the drug rings will change their route,' said Marthinus, a former head of Indonesia's anti-terror police squad Detachment 88. Meth in Indonesia is commonly consumed by labourers, plantation workers, drivers and nightlife workers, while marijuana is typically favoured by youth and students. Another synthetic drug, Ecstasy, is commonly used in nightclubs, said BNN. Maturidi Putra, a former drug addict who has been clean for 10 years, said: 'The cure is as simple as returning to the life we had before we became addicted. Avoid the people and environment that led us there in the first place.' The 51-year-old entrepreneur is among scores of people who have returned to a normal life without going through rehabilitation. Denny Bintang, 39, an anti-drug activist who started a 6,400-member Facebook group promoting rehabilitation and campaigning against illicit drugs, told The Straits Times that many addicts are unaware of government facilities that offer free rehabilitation services. 'Many are also afraid to come forward and use the service, thinking they will be arrested,' said Denny, noting there is low awareness that Indonesian law recognises some users as victims, not criminals. He also noted that privately run rehabilitation centres are expensive and not every addict or the family can afford it. The average retail price of meth in Indonesia in 2024 was about US$135 (S$173) per gram, according to UNODC. Prices vary widely across the region, with the lowest prices reported near Myanmar and rising in places farther away. The per-gram street price is US$6 in Myanmar, US$79 in the Philippines, and US$68 in Hong Kong, the UN agency said in a June 26 report. The May raid on the Sea Dragon Tarawa was the result of a five-month intelligence operation, Marthinus said. The six-member crew – four Indonesians and two Thais – were arrested, and 67 cardboard boxes, wrapped in plastic and camouflaged as green tea packages, were seized as evidence. Inside the boxes were 2,000 smaller packages of meth weighing a total of 2.1 tonnes. Similar to a terror network, drug ring leaders target people from poor economic backgrounds to help them expand operations as they are easy to recruit, said Marthinus. 'In the drug operations, they are the sales agents, couriers... We map out the regions in Indonesia that are prone to be recruitment centres. We do our work from there,' he added. Meanwhile, the total number of drug abusers remains a worry, even though the figure has dipped slightly. Indonesian government data shows drug users in the 15 to 64 age group totalled 3.33 million people in 2023, compared with 3.66 million in 2021. Yogo Tri Hendiarto, a criminologist at the University of Indonesia, told ST: 'Demand dictates supply. The large quantity of drugs confiscated this year suggests that demand remains strong in Indonesia and elsewhere, while the country's low prevalence rate indicates that prevention and rehabilitation efforts have been effective.' But he noted that the lower number of drug abusers could be due to weaknesses in survey methodology. - The Straits Times/ANN
Asia News Network
2 days ago
- Health
- Asia News Network
Indonesia seizes US$460 million worth of meth so far in 2025, a six-year record haul
July 22, 2025 JAKARTA – Indonesia is on track to record the largest seizure of drugs by the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) in six years, said the agency's chief, with confiscation of methamphetamine reaching 3.41 tonnes – with a street value of $590 million – so far in 2025. This half-year haul has surpassed the total annual seizure in the previous five years. The latest raid in the waters off Batam in mid-May netted a record 2.1 tonnes of methamphetamine, a synthetic drug also known as meth. The amount can feed eight million addicts, with each gram typically consumed by four people. BNN confiscated less than a tonne for the whole of 2024, and between 2020 and 2023, annually netted between 1.2 tonnes and 2.8 tonnes, according to government data. Government agencies have also, so far in 2025, seized 2.65 tonnes of other drugs, such as marijuana and cocaine, with a street value of at least $95 million. In an interview on July 3, BNN chief Marthinus Hukom shed light on a drug-trafficking maritime route spanning Malaysia, the Philippines and Taiwan. 'The production was in Myanmar while the vessel was built in Thailand,' said Commissioner-General Marthinus, referring to the meth seizure in May. Large-scale production of meth, combined with an ongoing war in Myanmar since 2021, has driven up the supply of the illicit drug in South-east Asia, said a recent report by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Seizures of meth across the region were at record highs in 2024, totalling 236 tonnes – a 24 per cent increase compared with the 2023 haul, said UNODC. Meth, a powerful and fast-acting stimulant, can harm a person's heart, teeth and brain if used regularly. It can also cause paranoia, mood swings and memory loss. While there has been a slight decline in drug prevalence in Indonesia, it is still at a worrying level. Marijuana and meth are the two most-used drugs, followed by Ecstasy, ketamine, cocaine and prescription drug abuse. The number of police cases involving arrests of drug offenders in the first 11 months of 2024 stood at 53,672 – up from 50,291 cases in 2023, and 44,983 in 2022, according to government data. Mr Marthinus revealed that for the large meth seizure in May, the drugs had been loaded onto a trade ship in the Andaman Sea off Myanmar. The vessel, Sea Dragon Tarawa, then sailed south through the Malacca Strait to the waters bordering Indonesia and Singapore. It later turned into the South China Sea, cruising off Kalimantan to drop off the meth packages for the Indonesian market, he said. The ship then headed into Philippine and Taiwan waters to unload more drugs. It later looped back to go back into the Andaman Sea, with the trip made several times. It was during one of those regular trips that the ship was caught near Batam, after leaving the Malacca Strait. Data of the trips made was collected by BNN from the vessel's Automatic Identification System satellites. Noting that drug packages sometimes fall off a vessel during trans-shipment, Mr Marthinus said: 'Small boats pick up merchandise from the passing vessel. In the past, local fishermen have found drug packages floating on the sea off North Kalimantan.' The drugs dropped off near Kalimantan were taken to Java and Sulawesi, among other places. According to BNN's analysis, the drugs normally enter Malaysia via boats from Sarawak's capital Kuching and the Philippines through Tawi-Tawi and Mindanao islands. Singapore was not on the delivery list of the Sea Dragon Tarawa. 'We have cut the trade chain for not only Asean countries, but also Taiwan. We expect the drug rings will change their route,' said Mr Marthinus, a former head of Indonesia's anti-terror police squad Detachment 88. Meth in Indonesia is commonly consumed by labourers, plantation workers, drivers and nightlife workers, while marijuana is typically favoured by youth and students. Another synthetic drug, Ecstasy, is commonly used in nightclubs, said BNN. Mr Maturidi Putra, a former drug addict who has been clean for 10 years, said: 'The cure is as simple as returning to the life we had before we became addicted. Avoid the people and environment that led us there in the first place.' The 51-year-old entrepreneur is among scores of people who have returned to a normal life without going through rehabilitation. Mr Denny Bintang, 39, an anti-drug activist who started a 6,400-member Facebook group promoting rehabilitation and campaigning against illicit drugs, told The Straits Times that many addicts are unaware of government facilities that offer free rehabilitation services. 'Many are also afraid to come forward and use the service, thinking they will be arrested,' said Mr Denny, noting there is low awareness that Indonesian law recognises some users as victims, not criminals. He also noted that privately run rehabilitation centres are expensive and not every addict or the family can afford it. The average retail price of meth in Indonesia in 2024 was about US$135 (S$173) per gram, according to UNODC. Prices vary widely across the region, with the lowest prices reported near Myanmar and rising in places farther away. The per-gram street price is US$6 in Myanmar, US$79 in the Philippines, and US$68 in Hong Kong, the UN agency said in a June 26 report. The May raid on the Sea Dragon Tarawa was the result of a five-month intelligence operation, Mr Marthinus said. The six-member crew – four Indonesians and two Thais – were arrested, and 67 cardboard boxes, wrapped in plastic and camouflaged as green tea packages, were seized as evidence. Inside the boxes were 2,000 smaller packages of meth weighing a total of 2.1 tonnes. Similar to a terror network, drug ring leaders target people from poor economic backgrounds to help them expand operations as they are easy to recruit, said Mr Marthinus. 'In the drug operations, they are the sales agents, couriers… We map out the regions in Indonesia that are prone to be recruitment centres. We do our work from there,' he added. Meanwhile, the total number of drug abusers remains a worry, even though the figure has dipped slightly. Indonesian government data shows drug users in the 15 to 64 age group totalled 3.33 million people in 2023, compared with 3.66 million in 2021. Mr Yogo Tri Hendiarto, a criminologist at the University of Indonesia, told ST: 'Demand dictates supply. The large quantity of drugs confiscated this year suggests that demand remains strong in Indonesia and elsewhere, while the country's low prevalence rate indicates that prevention and rehabilitation efforts have been effective.' But he noted that the lower number of drug abusers could be due to weaknesses in survey methodology.
New Straits Times
5 days ago
- New Straits Times
Foreign vessels use stealth tactics to harvest sea cucumbers illegally in Kelantan waters
PASIR PUTEH: Foreign fishing vessels, particularly from Vietnam, have been found using sophisticated tactics to avoid detection while illegally harvesting sea cucumbers (gamat) in Kelantan waters. Kelantan Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) director Maritime Captain Erwan Shah Soahdi said these vessels often operate at night or in the early hours of the morning to avoid detection by patrol boats. "Their modus operandi includes switching off their Automatic Identification System (AIS) to evade electronic surveillance, sailing without navigation lights to avoid visual detection, and using false registration numbers to conceal their identities. "In some cases, the foreign fishermen even use vessels that closely resemble local fishing boats and operate during daylight hours to mislead enforcement personnel," he told the New Straits Times. Erwan said the last arrest related to illegal sea cucumber harvesting in Kelantan was in August 2022, involving a 200kg haul worth an estimated RM5,000. He said no new cases have been recorded from 2023 until May this year. He said previous arrests were made about 40 nautical miles off the coast near the Tok Bali estuary, and monitoring efforts have since been expanded to better detect and prevent future intrusions. "These foreign incursions threaten the sustainability of our marine life and must be stopped. "We will continue to reinforce our maritime borders through intelligence-based operations and strategic enforcement. "If left unchecked, the use of destructive equipment such as fine drag nets and iron hooks in gamat harvesting can damage the seabed, disrupt the marine food chain, and threaten the livelihoods of local fishermen," he warned. He said sea cucumbers remain highly sought-after in both local and international markets. Typically processed dried or frozen, they are used in traditional medicine and cosmetic products, with prices ranging between RM100 and RM200 per kilogram, depending on species and processing methods. "We believe the harvested sea cucumbers are usually channelled to organised syndicates that distribute them to overseas buyers. "Past hotspots, including areas near Tok Bali and marine parks like Pulau Tenggol, have been brought under control through aggressive enforcement. "However, these zones remain under close surveillance to prevent future illegal activity," he added. While illegal sea cucumber harvesting is no longer considered a serious concern in Kelantan, Erwan said the agency remains vigilant. The agency, he said, has ramped up coordination with local communities and relevant authorities to ensure long-term marine sustainability. "We remain committed to curbing illegal activities in national waters and ensuring that Malaysia's rich marine biodiversity is protected for future generations," he added.
New Straits Times
13-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Broadcasting messages to dissuade Houthis
COMMERCIAL ships still sailing through the Red Sea are broadcasting messages about their nationality and even religion on their public tracking systems to avoid being targeted by Yemen's Houthis after deadly attacks last week by the militia. The Red Sea is a critical waterway for oil and commodities but traffic has dropped sharply since Houthi attacks off Yemen's coast began in November 2023 in what the Iran-aligned group said was in solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza war. The group sank two ships last week after months of calm and its leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi reiterated there would be no passage for any company transporting goods connected to Israel. In recent days, more ships sailing through the southern Red Sea and the narrow Bab al-Mandab strait have added messages to their Automatic Identification System profiles that can be seen when clicking on a vessel. Messages have included referring to an all-Chinese crew and management, and flagging the presence of armed guards on board. "All Crew Muslim," read one message, while others made clear the ships had no connection to Israel, according to MarineTraffic and LSEG ship-tracking AIS data. Maritime security sources said this was a sign of growing desperation to avoid attack by Houthi commandos or deadly drones — but they also thought it was unlikely to make any difference. Houthi intelligence preparation was "much deeper and forward-leaning", one source said. Vessels in the broader fleets of both ships attacked and sunk by the Houthis last week had made calls to Israeli ports in the past year, shipping analysis showed. Maritime security sources said even though shipping companies must step up due diligence on any tangential link to Israel before sailing through the Red Sea, the risk of attack was still high. In March 2024, the Houthis hit the Chinese-operated tanker Huang Pu with ballistic missiles despite previously saying they would not attack Chinese vessels, the US Central Command said. The Houthis have also targeted vessels trading with Russia. "Despite declared ceasefires, areas such as the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait remain designated high-risk by underwriters," insurance broker Aon said in a report. "Ongoing monitoring and adaptive security measures are essential for ship operators." The insurance cost of shipping goods through the Red Sea has more than doubled since last week's attacks, with some underwriters pausing cover for some voyages. The number of daily sailings through the strait, at the southern tip of the Red Sea and a gateway to the Gulf of Aden, was 35 vessels on July 10, 32 on July 9, down from 43 on July 1, Lloyd's List Intelligence data showed. That compares with a daily average of 79 sailings in October 2023, before Houthi attacks began. "Seafarers are the backbone of global trade, keeping countries supplied with food, fuel and medicine. "They should not have to risk their lives to do their job," the United Kingdom-based Seafarers' Charity said.
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Business Standard
11-07-2025
- Science
- Business Standard
Hidden Chinese vessel spotted 120 NM from Indian waters in Bay of Bengal
A 'hidden' Chinese research vessel operating in the Bay of Bengal was flagged by French maritime intelligence firm Unseenlabs earlier this week, raising concerns over Beijing's growing maritime footprint in the region. Unseenlabs, which specialises in radio frequency (RF) satellite surveillance, tracked the vessel during a 16-day monitoring mission. The ship reportedly switched off its Automatic Identification System (AIS)—a common method of evading detection—while conducting suspected underwater reconnaissance. 'While not broadcasting AIS, its RF signature was consistent and traceable, enabling our systems to monitor its movement over several days,' the firm stated in its report. 'We suspect that this prominent Chinese research vessel was likely operating with strategic intent.' Of the 1,897 ships monitored during the mission, nearly 10 per cent—including the Chinese vessel—were found operating without active AIS signals. Possible underwater reconnaissance near Indian EEZ Unseenlabs indicated that the vessel's activities appeared to include seafloor mapping, acoustic surveys, and the identification of submarine transit corridors—typical tactics in anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and long-term maritime surveillance planning. Although the ship stayed outside India's territorial waters, it came within 120 nautical miles of sensitive maritime zones, prompting alerts from Indian defence authorities. According to The Economic Times, the Indian Navy and Coast Guard are closely monitoring the situation, reviewing surveillance protocols, and may raise the matter diplomatically. Series of past incidents involving Chinese vessels The latest detection follows a pattern of Chinese vessel activity in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR): March 2024: Xiang Yang Hong 01 was spotted off the eastern coast of India during an Agni-5 missile test. July–August 2024: Xiang Yang Hong 03 was tracked near an Indian naval submarine warfare exercise. March 2025: Xiang Yang Hong 01 returned to test high-endurance autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), anchoring for three months west of the Andaman Islands. China maintains that its vessel operations near Indian waters are research-driven and benign, including for civilian and military data collection on routes to the Maldives. India reinforces maritime surveillance and deterrence The Indian Navy remains watchful. Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, Eastern Naval Command chief, has previously confirmed that Chinese research ship movements are under strict observation to prevent territorial violations. India is also accelerating investments in maritime surveillance infrastructure to ensure readiness against encroachments in strategic waters such as the Bay of Bengal.
