Latest news with #SeaDragonTarawa
The Star
28-05-2025
- The Star
Narcotics agency, police foil largest drug smuggling attempt in Indonesian history
Indonesian Navy personnel inspecting packages of methamphetamine at Batam Customs Port, Riau Islands, on May 26. - Antara JAKARTA: Authorities recently foiled an attempt to smuggle two tonnes of methamphetamine into the country, marking the largest drug seizure in the nation's history. A joint task force from the National Narcotics Agency (BNN), the National Police and the Indonesian Military seized the illicit drugs aboard a ship named Sea Dragon Tarawa in the waters off the Riau Islands last week. The vessel was intercepted as it sailed from the Andaman Sea toward Indonesian waters in Riau Islands Province. During the raid, authorities uncovered 67 boxes containing 2,000 packages of methamphetamine disguised as tea. The drugs were hidden in secret compartments throughout the vessel, including within its fuel tank. The Riau Islands Police arrested all six crew members on board, comprising four Indonesian nationals and two Thai citizens. They have been charged under Articles 112 and 114 of the 2009 Narcotics Law, which carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment or the death sentence if convicted. The National Narcotics Agency (BNN) chief Comr Gen. Marthinus Hukom, said the raid was conducted after a five-month investigation and surveillance effort, which was launched after authorities received intelligence from international partners. 'This is the largest drug seizure in the history of narcotics enforcement in Indonesia,' Marthinus said at a press conference on Monday (May 26), as quoted by Kompas. The BNN has linked the methamphetamine shipment to a transnational drug syndicate operating out of the Golden Triangle, the notorious region where northeastern Myanmar borders parts of Thailand and Laos. The area has a long history of producing drugs, with trafficking networks extending as far as Japan and New Zealand. Marthinus said the drugs were destined for Indonesia as well as other South-East Asian countries such as Malaysia and the Philippines. The latest seizure comes after Indonesia's navy seized a ship carrying nearly two tonnes of methamphetamine and cocaine worth Rp 7 trillion (US$425 million) around the same area in the west of the archipelago earlier this month. One Thai national and four Myanmar nationals were also detained. The eleven suspects arrested in connection with both cases were all fishermen who were allegedly recruited by drug traffickers to smuggle narcotics to various countries. They were reportedly paid Rp 25 million per trip, with bonuses of up to Rp 50 million. Last week, authorities also foiled an attempt to smuggle 1.8 kilograms of cocaine, valued at Rp 12 billion, from the United Kingdom to Bali. The drugs were concealed in two separate packages, hidden inside dolls and stationery items, and sent via mail. Customs officers detected the narcotics during an X-ray scan and immediately alerted the Bali Police. Bali Police Chief Insp. Ge. Daniel Adityajaya said that a 43-year-old Australian man, identified only by his initials LAA, was arrested in connection with the case. 'He was apprehended at an apartment in North Kuta, Badung Regency, shortly after receiving the narcotics packages,' Daniel said on Monday. LAA is believed to be part of an international drug trafficking syndicate, and police allege that he received Rp 50 million from another trafficker to sell the cocaine to foreign tourists visiting the popular holiday island. LAA has been charged under the 2009 Narcotics Law and faces the possibility of the death penalty if found guilty. - The Jakarta Post/ANN
The Star
27-05-2025
- The Star
Indonesia seizes record meth haul in waters off Riau Islands
Suspects are seen alongside seized crystal methamphetamine during a press conference by Indonesia's National Narcotics Agency officials in Batam, Riau Islands, on May 26, 2025, after they seized two tonnes of the drug hidden aboard a fishing boat following a tip-off from Thai authorities. - AFP JAKARTA: Indonesian authorities have seized more than two metric tonnes of methamphetamine in a maritime operation described as the largest drug bust in the country's history, officials said on Monday (May 26). The illicit cargo - concealed in 67 boxes aboard a ship in the waters off Tanjung Balai Karimun, part of the Riau Islands near the busy Malacca Strait - was intercepted following a five-month intelligence-led investigation. The operation involved Indonesia's National Narcotics Agency (BNN), the navy, customs officers and police. "This is the most significant drug seizure ever recorded in Indonesia," said Martinus Hukom, head of the BNN, during a press conference aboard the confiscated ship. He estimated the methamphetamine's street value at around five trillion rupiah (US$312 million). The drugs were found hidden near the engine room and bow of the Sea Dragon Tarawa, a vessel suspected of smuggling narcotics from the Golden Triangle - a notorious hub for drug production spanning parts of Myanmar, Laos and Thailand - across the Andaman Sea and into Indonesian waters. The ship was intercepted on May 20 and towed to the Tanjung Uncang customs dock for inspection. Authorities arrested six crew members - four Indonesian nationals and two Thai nationals, all of whom have been formally named as suspects. The BNN said it was working alongside international partners to trace the network behind the operation. Investigators believe the operation was orchestrated by a Thai national identified as Chancai, also known by the aliases "Captain Tui" and "Jackie Tan." The BNN has said it will issue an Interpol Red Notice for his arrest and designate him as a wanted international fugitive. - dpa
The Star
26-05-2025
- The Star
Two-tonne meth shipment busted off Sumatra
Local authorities seized about two tonnes of methamphetamine off Sumatra island in the biggest seizure of drugs in the country's history, its narcotics agency said. The agency linked the drugs to a syndicate in the Golden Triangle – an area where northeastern Myanmar meets parts of Thailand and Laos, which has a long history of producing drugs for distribution as far as Japan and New Zealand. Marthinus Hukom, chief of Indonesia's narcotics agency, told reporters yesterday that after five months of surveillance authorities last week sent ships to stop a vessel called 'Sea Dragon Tarawa' and discovered the methamphetamine in boxes. Hukom said the drugs were thought to have come from a syndicate in the Golden Triangle and were destined for Indonesia as well as other South-East Asian countries such as Malaysia and the Philippines. Four Indonesians and two Thai nationals were apprehended on the ship, he said. 'This seizure is the biggest drug discovery in the history of drug eradication in Indonesia,' he said. The latest seizure comes after Indonesia's navy seized a ship carrying nearly two tons of methamphetamine and cocaine worth US$425mil (RM1.8bil) around the same area in the west of the archipelago earlier this month. One Thai national and four Myanmar nationals were also detained. A record 190 tonnes of methamphetamine was seized in East and South-East Asia in 2023 as organised crime groups exploited weak law enforcement to traffic drugs, mainly via the Gulf of Thailand, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime said in a 2024 report. — Reuters
Qatar Tribune
26-05-2025
- Qatar Tribune
Indonesia seizes record meth haul in waters off Riau Islands
JakartacTypeface:> Indonesian authorities have seized more than 2 metric tonnes of methamphetamine in a maritime operation described as the largest drug bust in the country's history, officials said on Monday. The illicit cargo - concealed in 67 boxes aboard a ship in the waters off Tanjung Balai Karimun, part of the Riau Islands near the busy Malacca Strait - was intercepted following a five-month intelligence-led investigation. The operation involved Indonesia's National Narcotics Agency (BNN), the navy, customs officers and police. 'This is the most significant drug seizure ever recorded in Indonesia,' said Martinus Hukom, head of the BNN, during a press conference aboard the confiscated ship. He estimated the methamphetamine's street value at around 5 trillion rupiah ($312 million). The drugs were found hidden near the engine room and bow of the Sea Dragon Tarawa, a vessel suspected of smuggling narcotics from the Golden Triangle - a notorious hub for drug production spanning parts of Myanmar, Laos and Thailand - across the Andaman Sea and into Indonesian waters. The ship was intercepted on May 20 and towed to the Tanjung Uncang customs dock for inspection. Authorities arrested six crew members - four Indonesian nationals and two Thai nationals, all of whom have been formally named as suspects. (DPA)
The Advertiser
26-05-2025
- The Advertiser
Tonnes of meth seized in Indonesia's biggest drug haul
Indonesian authorities have seized about two tonnes of methamphetamine off Sumatra island in the biggest seizure of drugs in the country's history, its narcotics agency says. The agency linked the drugs to a syndicate in the Golden Triangle - an area where northeastern Myanmar meets parts of Thailand and Laos, which has a long history of producing drugs for distribution as far as Japan and New Zealand. Marthinus Hukom, chief of Indonesia's narcotics agency, told reporters on Monday that after five months of surveillance authorities last week sent ships to stop a vessel called Sea Dragon Tarawa and discovered the methamphetamine in boxes. Hukom said the drugs were thought to have come from a syndicate in the Golden Triangle and were destined for Indonesia as well as other Southeast Asian countries such as Malaysia and the Philippines. Four Indonesians and two Thai nationals were apprehended on the ship, he said. "This seizure is the biggest drug discovery in the history of drug eradication in Indonesia," he said. The latest seizure comes after Indonesia's navy seized a ship carrying nearly two tonnes of methamphetamine and cocaine worth $US425 million ($A650 million) around the same area in the west of the archipelago earlier in May. One Thai national and four Myanmar nationals were also detained. A record 190 tonnes of methamphetamine was seized in East and Southeast Asia in 2023 as organised crime groups exploited weak law enforcement to traffic drugs, mainly via the Gulf of Thailand, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime said in a 2024 report. The announcement of the drug seizure comes as Indonesian authorities separately reveal an Australian man has been arrested for allegedly smuggling cocaine on the tourist island of Bali. Bali Police Chief Daniel Adityajaya said the 43-year-old was arrested May 22 after police raided his rented house near the popular tourist spot Kuta beach, allegedly with 1.7kg of cocaine. Indonesia has some of the world's strictest anti-narcotics laws and drug trafficking is punishable by death. with AP Indonesian authorities have seized about two tonnes of methamphetamine off Sumatra island in the biggest seizure of drugs in the country's history, its narcotics agency says. The agency linked the drugs to a syndicate in the Golden Triangle - an area where northeastern Myanmar meets parts of Thailand and Laos, which has a long history of producing drugs for distribution as far as Japan and New Zealand. Marthinus Hukom, chief of Indonesia's narcotics agency, told reporters on Monday that after five months of surveillance authorities last week sent ships to stop a vessel called Sea Dragon Tarawa and discovered the methamphetamine in boxes. Hukom said the drugs were thought to have come from a syndicate in the Golden Triangle and were destined for Indonesia as well as other Southeast Asian countries such as Malaysia and the Philippines. Four Indonesians and two Thai nationals were apprehended on the ship, he said. "This seizure is the biggest drug discovery in the history of drug eradication in Indonesia," he said. The latest seizure comes after Indonesia's navy seized a ship carrying nearly two tonnes of methamphetamine and cocaine worth $US425 million ($A650 million) around the same area in the west of the archipelago earlier in May. One Thai national and four Myanmar nationals were also detained. A record 190 tonnes of methamphetamine was seized in East and Southeast Asia in 2023 as organised crime groups exploited weak law enforcement to traffic drugs, mainly via the Gulf of Thailand, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime said in a 2024 report. The announcement of the drug seizure comes as Indonesian authorities separately reveal an Australian man has been arrested for allegedly smuggling cocaine on the tourist island of Bali. Bali Police Chief Daniel Adityajaya said the 43-year-old was arrested May 22 after police raided his rented house near the popular tourist spot Kuta beach, allegedly with 1.7kg of cocaine. Indonesia has some of the world's strictest anti-narcotics laws and drug trafficking is punishable by death. with AP Indonesian authorities have seized about two tonnes of methamphetamine off Sumatra island in the biggest seizure of drugs in the country's history, its narcotics agency says. The agency linked the drugs to a syndicate in the Golden Triangle - an area where northeastern Myanmar meets parts of Thailand and Laos, which has a long history of producing drugs for distribution as far as Japan and New Zealand. Marthinus Hukom, chief of Indonesia's narcotics agency, told reporters on Monday that after five months of surveillance authorities last week sent ships to stop a vessel called Sea Dragon Tarawa and discovered the methamphetamine in boxes. Hukom said the drugs were thought to have come from a syndicate in the Golden Triangle and were destined for Indonesia as well as other Southeast Asian countries such as Malaysia and the Philippines. Four Indonesians and two Thai nationals were apprehended on the ship, he said. "This seizure is the biggest drug discovery in the history of drug eradication in Indonesia," he said. The latest seizure comes after Indonesia's navy seized a ship carrying nearly two tonnes of methamphetamine and cocaine worth $US425 million ($A650 million) around the same area in the west of the archipelago earlier in May. One Thai national and four Myanmar nationals were also detained. A record 190 tonnes of methamphetamine was seized in East and Southeast Asia in 2023 as organised crime groups exploited weak law enforcement to traffic drugs, mainly via the Gulf of Thailand, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime said in a 2024 report. The announcement of the drug seizure comes as Indonesian authorities separately reveal an Australian man has been arrested for allegedly smuggling cocaine on the tourist island of Bali. Bali Police Chief Daniel Adityajaya said the 43-year-old was arrested May 22 after police raided his rented house near the popular tourist spot Kuta beach, allegedly with 1.7kg of cocaine. Indonesia has some of the world's strictest anti-narcotics laws and drug trafficking is punishable by death. with AP Indonesian authorities have seized about two tonnes of methamphetamine off Sumatra island in the biggest seizure of drugs in the country's history, its narcotics agency says. The agency linked the drugs to a syndicate in the Golden Triangle - an area where northeastern Myanmar meets parts of Thailand and Laos, which has a long history of producing drugs for distribution as far as Japan and New Zealand. Marthinus Hukom, chief of Indonesia's narcotics agency, told reporters on Monday that after five months of surveillance authorities last week sent ships to stop a vessel called Sea Dragon Tarawa and discovered the methamphetamine in boxes. Hukom said the drugs were thought to have come from a syndicate in the Golden Triangle and were destined for Indonesia as well as other Southeast Asian countries such as Malaysia and the Philippines. Four Indonesians and two Thai nationals were apprehended on the ship, he said. "This seizure is the biggest drug discovery in the history of drug eradication in Indonesia," he said. The latest seizure comes after Indonesia's navy seized a ship carrying nearly two tonnes of methamphetamine and cocaine worth $US425 million ($A650 million) around the same area in the west of the archipelago earlier in May. One Thai national and four Myanmar nationals were also detained. A record 190 tonnes of methamphetamine was seized in East and Southeast Asia in 2023 as organised crime groups exploited weak law enforcement to traffic drugs, mainly via the Gulf of Thailand, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime said in a 2024 report. The announcement of the drug seizure comes as Indonesian authorities separately reveal an Australian man has been arrested for allegedly smuggling cocaine on the tourist island of Bali. Bali Police Chief Daniel Adityajaya said the 43-year-old was arrested May 22 after police raided his rented house near the popular tourist spot Kuta beach, allegedly with 1.7kg of cocaine. Indonesia has some of the world's strictest anti-narcotics laws and drug trafficking is punishable by death. with AP
