Indonesia seizes record 2 tons of crystal meth produced in 'Golden Triangle'
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Indonesia seizes record 2 tons of crystal meth produced in 'Golden Triangle'
Agence France-Presse
Published May 26, 2025 06:34 PM PHT
BATAM, Indonesia — Indonesian authorities seized two tons of crystal methamphetamine hidden on a fishing boat and arrested six people in the country's biggest-ever drug bust, a senior narcotics official said Monday.
BATAM, Indonesia — Indonesian authorities seized two tons of crystal methamphetamine hidden on a fishing boat and arrested six people in the country's biggest-ever drug bust, a senior narcotics official said Monday.
The National Narcotics Agency, or BNN, said Thai authorities had notified them that the Indonesian-flagged vessel, sailing from the Andaman Sea to Batam Island, could be carrying a huge haul of narcotics.
The National Narcotics Agency, or BNN, said Thai authorities had notified them that the Indonesian-flagged vessel, sailing from the Andaman Sea to Batam Island, could be carrying a huge haul of narcotics.
Indonesian authorities intercepted the boat in waters off the Riau islands last Tuesday, and found 2,000 packages of crystal meth stuffed into cardboard boxes hidden within the ship.
Indonesian authorities intercepted the boat in waters off the Riau islands last Tuesday, and found 2,000 packages of crystal meth stuffed into cardboard boxes hidden within the ship.
"The result of the search is two tons of crystal methamphetamine," BNN chief Marthinus Hukom told a press conference. "This is the biggest haul in Indonesia's narcotics bust history."
"The result of the search is two tons of crystal methamphetamine," BNN chief Marthinus Hukom told a press conference. "This is the biggest haul in Indonesia's narcotics bust history."
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Marthinus estimated the drugs to be worth nearly $308,000,000.
Marthinus estimated the drugs to be worth nearly $308,000,000.
Indonesian authorities investigated the case over the last five months, working closely with Thai authorities.
Indonesian authorities investigated the case over the last five months, working closely with Thai authorities.
The illicit drugs were produced in the "Golden Triangle" region where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet, and were smuggled by an organized crime group working with Indonesian traffickers, Marthinus said.
The illicit drugs were produced in the "Golden Triangle" region where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet, and were smuggled by an organized crime group working with Indonesian traffickers, Marthinus said.
Six people onboard the fishing boat were arrested, including four Indonesians and two Thai nationals.
Six people onboard the fishing boat were arrested, including four Indonesians and two Thai nationals.
The crew told authorities they were fishermen recruited by the drugs syndicate which promised to pay them 50,000 Thai Baht ($1,500) and a $3,000 bonus.
The crew told authorities they were fishermen recruited by the drugs syndicate which promised to pay them 50,000 Thai Baht ($1,500) and a $3,000 bonus.
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Marthinus said a fugitive from Thailand was behind the operation and that Indonesia would issue a red notice for the trafficker.
Marthinus said a fugitive from Thailand was behind the operation and that Indonesia would issue a red notice for the trafficker.
Monday's drug bust was the second major drug seizure this month. Indonesian authorities previously seized 1.2 tons of crystal meth and more than 700 kilograms of cocaine inside a Thailand-flagged fishing boat near the Riau islands.
Monday's drug bust was the second major drug seizure this month. Indonesian authorities previously seized 1.2 tons of crystal meth and more than 700 kilograms of cocaine inside a Thailand-flagged fishing boat near the Riau islands.
Indonesia has some of the world's toughest anti-drug laws, including capital punishment for some trafficking cases.
Indonesia has some of the world's toughest anti-drug laws, including capital punishment for some trafficking cases.
© Agence France-Presse
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