Indonesia Busts Mongolian-Flagged Tanker for Ketamine Smuggling

Authorities in Indonesia have discovered an abundant quantity of ketamine aboard a tanker in the Strait of Malacca, prompting an investigation into its ownership and activities.

The tanker was detained October 20 off Tanjung Balai, on the coast of North Sumatra, after making suspicious movements and disabling its AIS transmission for several days. Indonesian police had already been tracking the vessel for some time, having suspected its involvement in smuggling. The ship had been spotted holding position off the west coast of Thailand in a suspicious manner. Once on board, Indonesian authorities discovered $14 million worth of ketamine in 54 sacks (1.1 tonnes). The crew - including seven Indonesians and one Chinese national - have all been detained pending further investigation.

The Global 168 is flagged in Mongolia and owned by two Malaysian businessmen in Johor. The Royal Malaysia Police were notified of the seizure, and the agency's national narcotics unit plans to bring the owners in for questioning, department director Hussein Omar Khan told The Star. The unit will also investigate whether a Malaysian drug syndicate was involved in the vessel's operations.

In August, Indonesian authorities busted a small freighter carrying 2.6 tonnes of liquid methamphetamine and 1.5 million illicit Chinese cigarettes. The 10 Myanmarese crewmembers were all detained for questioning.

This story was originally published by The Maritime Executive. Read the full story at The Maritime Executive →