Indonesia seizes 1.3 tonnes of ketamine worth millions in major bust

Indonesian authorities have dismantled a significant drug smuggling operation, seizing 1.3 tonnes of ketamine from a foreign-flagged vessel in what authorities claim is one of the country's largest drug busts.

In February, intelligence suggested that the MV King Sun, a vessel sailing from Thailand, was carrying suspicious cargo. Surveillance followed the vessel for months, culminating in a surprising interception by a navy warship on Thursday as the ship entered Indonesian waters.

On August 7th, a joint team discovered 65 sacks hidden within the ship, which were later identified as containing ketamine, a powerful and widely abused illicit party drug. The seized 1.3 tonnes of ketamine is estimated to be worth around US$116.2 million.

The investigation is ongoing, with authorities still searching the vessel for additional drugs. The ship was registered under a Tanzanian flag and was intercepted in the waters around the Riau Islands province near Singapore. Eight crew members, including seven from Myanmar and one Taiwanese national, have been detained.

Indonesian officials are still investigating the origin of the drug load, its intended port destination, and the identities of the sender and receiver. Meanwhile, in a separate operation last month, Indonesian authorities seized 3.37 metric tonnes of cannabis buds from a drug-smuggling attempt originating in Thailand, arresting 12 suspects.