Latest news with #Indonesian-flagged
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Indonesia reels in record haul of meth from fishing boat
Indonesian authorities seized two tons of crystal methamphetamine hidden on a fishing boat and arrested six people in the country's biggest-ever drug bust, officials said Monday. The National Narcotics Agency, or BNN, said Thai authorities had notified them that the Indonesian-flagged vessel, sailing from the Andaman Sea to Batam Island, could be carrying a huge haul of narcotics. Indonesian authorities said they intercepted the boat in waters off the Riau islands last Tuesday, and found 2,000 packages of crystal meth stuffed into cardboard boxes hidden within the ship. "The result of the search is two tonnes of crystal methamphetamine," BNN chief Marthinus Hukom told a press conference. "This is the biggest haul in Indonesia's narcotics bust history." Authorities released images of handcuffed suspects wearing orange jumpsuits and face masks sitting in front of hundreds of packages of the alleged drugs. Marthinus estimated the drugs to be worth more than $4 million. Indonesian authorities investigated the case over the last five months, working closely with Thai authorities. The illicit drugs were produced in the "Golden Triangle" region where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet, and were smuggled by an organized crime group working with Indonesian traffickers, Marthinus said. Six people onboard the fishing boat were arrested, including four Indonesians and two Thai nationals. The crew told authorities they were fishermen recruited by the drugs syndicate which promised to pay them 50,000 Thai Baht ($1,500) and a $3,000 bonus. Marthinus said a fugitive from Thailand was behind the operation and that Indonesia would issue a red notice for the trafficker. Monday's drug bust was the second major drug seizure this month. Indonesian authorities previously seized 1.2 tons of crystal meth and more than 700 kilograms of cocaine inside a Thailand-flagged fishing boat near the Riau islands. Authorities said they arrested five people and released an image of the suspects on ship with packages of drugs and armed officers behind them. In a separate case, Indonesian authorities arrested an Australian on Monday for allegedly smuggling cocaine on the tourist island of Bali, a charge that could carry the death penalty, officials said Monday. Indonesia has extremely strict drug laws, and convicted smugglers are sometimes executed by firing squad. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Delta Air Lines' 100th year takes flight Trump delivers Memorial Day remarks at Arlington National Cemetery Full interview: Jack McCain on "Face the Nation"
Barnama
27-05-2025
- Barnama
Indonesia Makes Record Meth Bust, Seizes Two Tonnes And Nabs Six Suspects
By Mohd Iswandi Kasan Anuar JAKARTA, May 27 (Bernama) -- Indonesian authorities have seized two tonnes of methamphetamine in the country's largest-ever drug bust and arrested six suspects, including four Indonesian nationals and two Thai citizens, officials said. The narcotics were found aboard the Indonesian-flagged utility vessel MT Sea Dragon Tarawa during a joint operation by Customs, the National Narcotics Agency (BNN), and the Navy, based on intelligence about the ship's suspicious movements. bootstrap slideshow The vessel, believed to have departed from Phuket, Thailand, and was bound for the Philippines, was intercepted on May 20 during a coordinated maritime patrol in the Malacca Strait, according to Customs. 'Authorities escorted the ship to the Tanjung Uncang Customs Dock in Batam, where a full inspection was carried out with the assistance of a K9 unit,' its spokesperson Nirwala Dwi Heryanto said in a statement on Tuesday. The search on May 21 uncovered 67 cartons containing 2,000 packets of methamphetamine, weighing a total of 2,000 kilogrammes. Based on the suspects' statements, he said the drugs were likely intended for the Philippines, and that all six suspects were detained on board during the initial inspection. The operation occurred off the coast of Karimun Anak in the Riau Islands, a known trafficking hotspot due to its proximity to major international shipping lanes. Nirwala said the suspects could face life imprisonment or the death penalty, and that the seizure may have prevented up to eight million people from accessing the drugs.
The Star
26-05-2025
- The Star
Indonesia seizes record two tonnes of crystal meth hidden in fishing boat
BATAM, Indonesia (AFP): Indonesian authorities seized two tonnes of crystal methamphetamine hidden on a fishing boat and arrested six people in the country's biggest-ever drug bust, a senior narcotics official said Monday. The National Narcotics Agency, or BNN, said Thai authorities had notified them that the Indonesian-flagged vessel, sailing from the Andaman Sea to Batam Island, could be carrying a huge haul of narcotics. Indonesian authorities intercepted the boat in waters off the Riau islands last Tuesday, and found 2,000 packages of crystal meth stuffed into cardboard boxes hidden within the ship. "The result of the search is two tonnes of crystal methamphetamine," BNN chief Marthinus Hukom told a press conference. "This is the biggest haul in Indonesia's narcotics bust history." Marthinus estimated the drugs to be worth nearly $308,000,000. Indonesian authorities investigated the case over the last five months, working closely with Thai authorities. The illicit drugs were produced in the "Golden Triangle" region where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet, and were smuggled by an organised crime group working with Indonesian traffickers, Marthinus said. Six people onboard the fishing boat were arrested, including four Indonesians and two Thai nationals. The crew told authorities they were fishermen recruited by the drugs syndicate which promised to pay them 50,000 Thai Baht ($1,500) and a $3,000 bonus. Marthinus said a fugitive from Thailand was behind the operation and that Indonesia would issue a red notice for the trafficker. Monday's drug bust was the second major drug seizure this month. Indonesian authorities previously seized 1.2 tonnes of crystal meth and more than 700 kilograms of cocaine inside a Thailand-flagged fishing boat near the Riau islands. Indonesia has some of the world's toughest anti-drug laws, including capital punishment for some trafficking cases. - AFP
