KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 24 – The Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) is collaborating with the Indonesian National Police (POLRI) to investigate potential Malaysian syndicate connections following the seizure of 1.16 tonnes of ketamine from a Mongolian-flagged tanker off Tanjung Balai Asahan, North Sumatra.
Bukit Aman NCID Director Datuk Hussein Omar Khan confirmed on Saturday, October 24, 2026, that Malaysian authorities are investigating the vessel’s operational history, corporate links, and possible domestic syndicate involvement.
“We will continue to work with POLRI to obtain further information regarding this case, including the potential involvement of syndicates operating in Malaysia,” Hussein told Bernama.
Indonesian enforcement agencies formally alerted the NCID on October 23 after boarding officers recovered 1,160 packages of ketamine—weighing 1.16 tonnes—concealed inside 58 sacks aboard the vessel.
Port Departures, High-Seas Transfers, and Vessel Details
Key maritime tracking details, syndicate movements, and vessel specifications established by investigators include:
- Port Operations in Johor and Selangor: Preliminary tracking data indicates the tanker originally departed from a dry dock facility in Pasir Gudang, Johor, before calling at Port Klang to refuel prior to sailing into the Andaman Sea.
- High-Seas Cargo Transfer: Investigators believe the vessel conducted an illegal ship-to-ship (STS) contraband transfer on international waters in the Andaman Sea between October 14 and October 18.
- Transponder Blackouts: The tanker’s Automatic Identification System (AIS) was intentionally deactivated for three days during its journey to evade maritime radar detection before the vessel was intercepted on October 20.
- Detained Crew Members: Indonesian tactical teams arrested eight crew members aboard the vessel—comprising seven Indonesian nationals aged between 25 and 71, and a 42-year-old Chinese national.
- Vessel Specifications: The 57-metre-long tanker operated under the transponder name GLOBAL 168 (IMO: 9078347, MMSI: 457615000) under a Mongolian flag of convenience.
- Wider Regional Operations: Indonesian authorities previously reported seizing over two tonnes of illicit drugs valued at US$300 million (RM1.3 billion) across two anti-narcotics sweeps in Sumatra, with one intercepted tanker linked to a corporate entity registered in Johor Bahru.
–NMT
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