Police probe local syndicate links after tanker carrying RM800m ketamine seized off Sumatra

Federal narcotics investigators in Malaysia are collaborating with Indonesian law enforcement to investigate whether a Malaysian drug syndicate was involved in the seizure of 1.16 tonnes of ketamine hydrochloride aboard a coastal tanker off the coast of North Sumatra. The 57-metre Mongolian-flagged vessel, MT Global 168, was intercepted on October 20 after Indonesian authorities linked its ownership to the Johor-based firm Makmur Marine Petroleum.

A search of the vessel uncovered 58 sacks containing 1,160 individually wrapped bricks of high-grade ketamine hydrochloride, with an estimated street value of RM800 million. Malaysian police have been informed of the interdiction, and they will work with Indonesian authorities to gather more information and determine if any Malaysian drug syndicates were involved.

Preliminary tracking data indicates that the tanker originated from Pasir Gudang, Johor, before refueling at Port Klang and altering its course towards the Andaman Sea. The vessel reportedly disabled its Automatic Identification System (AIS) for three days to avoid detection. Indonesian security forces detained all eight crew members, seven Indonesian nationals and one Chinese individual, who have been classified as formal suspects.

Brief written by urgent.news from Malay Mail's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.