The contraband was reportedly coming in from mainland China and was planned to be distributed in Jakarta.
"I think the efforts should be appreciated, we are giving them high praises," said President Joko Widodo, popularly known as Jokowi, after the handover ceremony of customary land certificates at Pura Dalem Sakenan Serangan Kota Denpasar on Friday evening.
He believed that the value in rupiah of the methamphetamine is very high.
Jokowi, who is the former governor of Jakarta, assessed that the effort of foilling the operation by the officers was an achievement that deserves an appreciation.
"With such huge volume, the contraband could amount to billions of rupiah in values. This is an achievement. We must give appreciation to all related institutions, including the Drug Eradication Agency, National Police, Army, Customs and Sea Security," he said.
Previously, 81 sacks or about 1.6 tonnes of methamphetamine were found inside a fishing boat containing a Taiwanese crab net with the Singapore flag. The contraband was intended to be circulated in Jakarta.
Head of Riau Islands Police Public Relations division Senior Commissioner S Erlangga stated earlier that the results of a temporary investigation indicated that the methamphetamine was to be unloaded in Tanjung Lesung, Pandeglang, Banten. From Pandeglang, it will then be circulated to a number of locations in Jakarta.
The KM 61870 Penuin Union was successfully nabbed in the waters of Karang Helen Mars adjacent to Karang Banteng, Anambas Regency, Riau Islands.
The ship was secured on Tuesday (20/2) at around 2:00 am by Satgassus Police and Customs officers using BC 7005 Ship.
In addition to securing 81 bags of methamphetamine that contained 20 kg per sack, the officers also secured 4 foreigners from Mainland China identified as Tan Mai (69), Tan Yi (33), Tan Hui (43), and Liu Yin Hua (63).
Reported by Hanni Sofia
(UU.KR-ARC/A/KR-ARC/A014)
Reporter: antara
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
