Indonesian Authorities Seize 1.16 Tonnes Of Ketamine From Tanker In Malacca Strait

JAKARTA, Oct 23 – Indonesian law enforcement authorities seized 1.16 tonnes of ketamine and arrested eight crew members after intercepting a tanker off North Sumatra province on Friday, October 23, 2026.

Chief of the National Police’s Narcotics Investigation Unit, Suyudi Ario Seto, stated during a press briefing at Bandar Deli Port in Medan that the Mongolian-flagged vessel, MT Global 168, was intercepted off Tanjung Balai Asahan.

The maritime interdiction concluded a nearly week-long joint surveillance operation involving the Indonesian National Police, the National Narcotics Agency (BNN), Customs and Excise authorities, and Water Police.

Surveillance Operations, Vessel Tracking, and Contraband Recovery

Key operational details, tracking anomalies, and suspect detentions from the maritime bust include:

• International Vessel Tracking: Law enforcement began tracking the tanker on October 14 as it navigated maritime routes near Malaysia before approaching northern Aceh and Thailand.
• Transponder Manipulations Detected: Investigators uncovered severe irregularities in the vessel’s Automatic Identification System (AIS), which transmitted dual conflicting vessel names—MT Global and Gross Dolphin—to evade maritime radar tracking.
• Crew Arrests: Authorities detained eight crew members aboard the vessel, comprising seven Indonesian nationals and one foreign national.
• Contraband Confiscation: Tactical boarding teams seized 58 sacks containing 1.16 tonnes of ketamine, along with satellite navigation systems, communication equipment, and the tanker itself.

Indonesian narcotics agencies are coordinating with regional law enforcement partners to trace the international syndicate behind the shipment and its intended distribution points across Southeast Asia.

–NMT