Malaysian-owned tanker carrying US$14 million in ketamine seized in Indonesia

Indonesian authorities seized the MT Global 168, a tanker suspected of smuggling 1.16 tonnes of ketamine hydrochloride. According to the New Straits Times, the vessel was intercepted off Tanjung Balai Asahan, Indonesia, after making unusual movements between October 14 and 18. The tanker reportedly departed from an anchorage in Pasir Gudang, Johor, and stopped at Port Klang to refuel before its interception.

The South China Morning Post reports that the tanker is owned by a Malaysian-registered company with an office located in Johor Bahru. The New Straits Times adds that the vessel is currently sailing under a Mongolian flag, though it had previously applied to be registered under the Malaysian flag without completing the process.

Bukit Aman Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk Hussein Omar Khan stated that the company has two Malaysian directors in their 40s and 50s who have no previous criminal records. He noted that the directors will be summoned to assist with investigations. Malaysian police intend to seek further information from the Indonesian National Police following the seizure.

Brief written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post, New Straits Times — 2 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.