Indonesia Seizes 2 Tons of Meth from Fishing Vessel in Largest Drug Bust to Date
Massive Drug Bust in Indonesian Waters: A Record-Breaking Seizure
In an operation that has stunned authorities, Indonesian officials have announced their largest drug seizure to date. Over two tons of crystal methamphetamine were discovered on a fishing boat, leading to the arrest of six individuals. The National Narcotics Agency (BNN) reported that the vessel, flagged under Indonesia, was intercepted while sailing from the Andaman Sea towards Batam Island. This operation was initiated after Thai authorities tipped off the BNN about a possible narcotics shipment.
The interception took place last Tuesday off the Riau islands, where law enforcement discovered 2,000 packages of crystal meth hidden in cardboard boxes aboard the ship. Marthinus Hukom, the chief of BNN, stated at a press conference that this haul marks a historic moment in Indonesia’s fight against narcotics. Images released by authorities showed handcuffed suspects in orange jumpsuits and face masks, surrounded by hundreds of alleged drug packages.
Marthinus estimated the street value of the seized drugs at over $4 million. The investigation into this operation spanned five months and involved close collaboration with Thai authorities. It was revealed that the drugs originated from the infamous “Golden Triangle” region, an area known for its rampant drug production, encompassing parts of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar. The organized crime group behind this smuggling operation worked in conjunction with Indonesian traffickers.
The arrested individuals included four Indonesians and two Thai nationals. According to reports, these crew members claimed they were fishermen lured by promises of payment from the drug syndicate, which offered them 50,000 Thai Baht (approximately $1,500) along with a potential $3,000 bonus. Marthinus also mentioned that a fugitive from Thailand is suspected to be orchestrating this operation and that Indonesia is preparing to issue a red notice for his capture.
This significant drug bust follows another major seizure earlier this month. Authorities had previously confiscated 1.2 tons of crystal meth and over 700 kilograms of cocaine from a Thailand-flagged fishing boat near the same region. In that incident, five people were arrested, and images were released showing the suspects alongside armed officers and packages of drugs.
In a separate event on Monday, Indonesian authorities arrested an Australian national on Bali for allegedly attempting to smuggle cocaine onto the island-a charge carrying severe penalties including the death penalty under Indonesia’s stringent drug laws.
The country’s firm stance on drug-related crimes is well-known internationally. Convicted smugglers often face execution by firing squad, underscoring the government’s zero-tolerance approach toward narcotics trafficking. As these recent operations illustrate, Indonesia continues to grapple with complex drug networks that operate both within its borders and across international lines.
