Malaysia-linked ketamine bust protects Indonesian youth: Dasco

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59 minutes ago

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Indonesia’s House of Representatives (DPR) Deputy Speaker Sufmi Dasco Ahmad praised police for seizing 1.16 tons of ketamine aboard a vessel linked to a Malaysian company, saying the operation helped protect Indonesia’s younger generation.

Dasco expressed concern over the recently uncovered case. He said the latest information indicated the drugs were carried aboard a vessel believed to belong to a Malaysia-based company.

“Indonesian police and the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) recently seized the MT Global 168, a vessel carrying about one ton of ketamine, in Belawan,” Dasco said in a statement issued in Jakarta on Sunday.

A joint team from the National Police, BNN, and Customs and Excise intercepted the vessel off Tanjungbalai Asahan and escorted it to Belawan Port.

Police seized 58 sacks containing 1.16 tons of ketamine hydrochloride (HCl) and arrested eight crew members, consisted of seven Indonesians and one Taiwanese national.

Police records show the Mongolian-flagged vessel sailed from Pasir Gudang, Johor, and was registered to Malaysia-based Makmur Marine Petroleum, at Suites S11 and S12, fifth floor, Menara TJB, Johor Bahru.

Dasco said the case showed that drug trafficking targeting young Indonesians crossed national borders. He said the joint operation had potentially saved millions of Indonesians.

“We must all do our part to fight a threat that can seriously harm the nation’s children,” Dasco said.

Earlier, the Indonesian National Police had foiled an attempt to smuggle 1.16 tons of ketamine hydrochloride aboard the MT Global 168 off Tanjungbalai, Asahan, North Sumatra.

National Police Chief Suyudi Ario Seto said at Bandar Deli Port in Medan on Friday (Oct 23) that the operation involved the Criminal Investigation Agency, BNN, Customs, water police, and North Sumatra Police.

Suyudi said officers arrested eight crew members who were seven Indonesian nationals and one Taiwanese national.

“Officers seized 58 sacks containing a gross total of 1.16 tons of ketamine, communication devices, and the MT Global 168,” he said.

Suyudi said the seizure was estimated to have protected about 5.8 million people from the risk of ketamine abuse, based on the amount confiscated.