The Indonesian Navy has made a significant bust, seizing a Thai-flagged ship carrying nearly 2 tons of illicit drugs worth $425 million. The vessel was intercepted off the coast of Sumatra after it suddenly turned off its lights and sped away from authorities in the Riau Islands. On board, officials found almost 100 sacks containing 1.2 tons of cocaine and 705 kilograms of methamphetamine, also known as “yaba.” Five crew members were arrested, including one Thai national and four from Myanmar.
A Major Drug Trafficking Operation
The ship was taken to a naval base in Karimun Bay, where authorities are now investigating the origins and destination of the contraband. This seizure is one of the largest in Indonesian history, and it comes at a time when the country is cracking down on drug trafficking. Indonesia has some of the world’s toughest anti-drug laws, with penalties ranging up to the death penalty for those caught smuggling narcotics.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reported that East and Southeast Asia seized a record 190 tons of methamphetamine in 2023. Much of this trafficking occurs in the Gulf of Thailand, where criminal organizations take advantage of lax law enforcement. The Golden Triangle region, where Myanmar, Thailand, and Laos meet, is a notorious hub for drug smuggling, with some shipments making their way as far as Japan and New Zealand.
A Pattern of Large-Scale Seizures
In 2022, Indonesian authorities seized 179 kilograms of cocaine near the port city of Merak on Java, marking one of the country’s largest cocaine busts at the time. The latest seizure is a significant escalation, highlighting the ongoing efforts to disrupt major drug trafficking operations in the region.
The Indonesian Navy’s success in intercepting the Thai-flagged vessel demonstrates the country’s commitment to combating the flow of illicit drugs. As authorities continue their investigation, the international community watches closely, aware that the fight against drug trafficking requires cooperation and vigilance across borders.
Source: Reuters