The Indonesian Navy has confiscated a vessel containing approximately two tons of methamphetamine and cocaine valued at 7 trillion IDR (US$426 million) off the coast of Riau Islands.
An individual from Thailand and four individuals from Myanmar were discovered onboard the ship, according to Commodore I Made Wira Hdy Arsanta Wardhana of the Indonesian Navy.
The officers captured the vessel after it switched off its lights and sped up in an attempt to escape from Indonesia’s territorial waters in the area of Tanjung Balai Karimun, located in the Riau Islands, as reported by the navy.
Police confiscated almost 100 yellow and white bags containing approximately 1.2 tons of cocaine along with 705 kilograms of methamphetamine valued at around 7 trillion Indonesian rupiah. This seizure ranks as one of the biggest drug busts in Indonesia, which has the largest economy in Southeast Asia.
Indonesia boasts some of the most stringent anti-drug legislation globally, with capital punishment being imposed for drug trafficking offenses.
The navy stated that the vessel, flying a Thai ensign, has been moved to a naval facility in Tanjung Balai Karimun. They refrained from providing specifics about the backgrounds of the crew members beyond mentioning their nationalities.
Authorities are continuing their investigation into the origin of the drugs and the destination of the vessel.
