Batam, Riau (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Military (TNI), the National Narcotics Agency (BNN), the National Police, and Customs thwarted the smuggling of two tons of drugs into Riau in May this year.

The drugs were seized and destroyed in Batam, Riau, on Thursday.

The successful drug haul drew praise from President Prabowo Subianto, Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs, Budi Gunawan, said during the drug destruction activity in Batam.

The drug bust, the largest since the government set up the drug eradication desk in 2024, reflects the government’s commitment to protect millions of Indonesians from drug abuse.

Since the establishment of the drug eradication desk, Indonesian law enforcement agencies have succeeded in uncovering thousands of drug trafficking cases, Gunawan highlighted.

“The smuggling of approximately two tons of crystal methamphetamine, that we will destroy today, is the largest in history in the disclosure of drugs in our country,” he informed.

In the wake of the case, he urged all officers working with the drug eradication desk to be more active in carrying out supervision and action.

Earlier on May 20, 2025, the Sea Dragon Terawa ship, suspected to be carrying narcotics, sailed from Andaman waters to the Riau Islands.

Around 11 p.m. local time on May 22, Indonesian law enforcement officers deployed vessels to take action against the ship.

While the ship was passing through Indonesian waters, the officers managed to capture it and bring it to the Customs Pier at Tanjung Uncang Port, where it was searched. They also inspected the ship’s crew.

During the search, officers found 67 boxes containing 2 thousand packages of crystal methamphetamine weighing 2,115,130 grams, or nearly 2 tons. The drugs were wrapped in packaging commonly used by the "Golden Triangle" drug syndicate.

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Translator: Walda Marison, Yashinta Difa
Editor: Primayanti
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