Indonesia arrests 10 Myanmar nationals following liquid meth bust
JAKARTA: Indonesia has arrested 10 Myanmar nationals in a drug bust involving 2.6 metric tonnes of liquid methamphetamine found on a ship sailing with a Tanzanian flag, authorities said at a press conference on Friday.
Indonesia has apprehended 10 Myanmar nationals in connection to a significant drug bust involving 2.6 metric tonnes of liquid methamphetamine discovered on a ship flying a Tanzanian flag, announced authorities at a press conference on Friday. The narcotics, hidden within a water tank and eight 200-litre drums secured atop a container on the vessel, were revealed by Indonesia's National Narcotics Agency chief Suyudi Ario Seto.
Indonesia is known for its stringent drug regulations, with certain offenses carrying the death penalty. Seto expressed concern over the evolution of narcotics crimes, noting that they have shifted from solid forms to liquid forms, potentially infiltrating public lifestyle via vapes or electronic cigarettes. He advocated for a complete prohibition on vapes.
The joint operation, which included police and customs forces, was initiated based on intelligence gathered by the drug agency from December of the previous year. Suspicion arose due to the ship's frequent alterations in its identity. The vessel was finally stopped on Monday, August 17, while it was navigating through the waters of the Riau Islands in western Indonesia.
Authorities reported that the group of 10 individuals detained on Monday has ties to previous arrests earlier this month involving a ship carrying 1.3 tonnes of ketamine, also operating within Riau waters. The majority of the crew members aboard that vessel were also of Myanmar nationality.
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