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Indonesia foils major drug smuggling attempt at sea and detains 10 Myanmar crew members
Authorities said the meth was hidden in drums and water tanks as investigators work to dismantle the trafficking network behind the shipment.
Indonesian authorities seized about 2.6 tons of liquid methamphetamine from a ship intercepted off Sumatra on Monday, detaining 10 Myanmar nationals suspected of involvement in an international trafficking network in one of the country's largest drug busts.
A joint task force of the National Narcotics Agency, customs officials, and Riau Islands police executed the operation after receiving intelligence about a vessel allegedly transporting narcotics from Malaysia's Sarawak state toward Indonesian waters.
Investigators intercepted the Tanzania-flagged Ocean Porter off Tanjung Parit in Bengkalis, Riau, and towed it to Batam for inspection; the vessel previously operated as the Rain Maker to evade detection.
This seizure follows a similar operation less than two weeks ago, when authorities confiscated 1.3 tons of ketamine from the King Sun off Bintan, signaling intensified enforcement against trafficking networks.
The United Nations Office identifies Indonesia as a major drug-smuggling hub driven by international syndicates, while officials warn the nation's vast coastline and proximity to regional shipping routes make maritime borders vulnerable to transnational trafficking.