The Director of Narcotics Crimes, Brigadier General Eko Hadi Santoso, on Tuesday said the discovery was the result of an investigation into the smuggling of nearly 1.3 tons of ketamine from the MV King Sun in the waters north of Tanjung Berakit on August 6, 2026.
The joint team involved in the discovery consisted of the National Police's Criminal Investigation Unit, the National Narcotics Agency (BNN), the Directorate General of Customs and Excise, and the Riau Islands Regional Police.
"During the monitoring, the Fu Chang Xing I, flying the Comoros flag, was found to be moving abnormally and suspiciously," Eko explained.
On August 13, 2026, the vessel was found to have disabled its Automatic Identification System (AIS) and was conducting ship-to-ship activities with the Mongolian-flagged MV Asley.
This discovery was then followed up by forming a joint operation to intercept and inspect both vessels.
On August 22, the team intercepted the Fu Chang Xing I in Anambas waters and detained 10 crew members, consisting of nine Myanmar nationals and one Taiwanese citizen.
A day later, officers intercepted the MV Asley in Natuna waters and detained six crew members, all of whom were Indonesian citizens.
"We found 40 sacks containing ketamine hidden in the steering room of the Fu Chang Xing I. From there, we conducted a drug test and found positive for ketamine," Eko remarked.
However, officers found no evidence of ketamine during inspection of the MV Asley.
Eko said his party had named a Taiwanese citizen with the initials WLC as a suspect, with his role as the captain and manager of the ship suspected of controlling the shipment of ketamine HCl.
Meanwhile, nine crew members of the Fu Chang Xing I and six crew members of the MV Asley remain witnesses and are undergoing questioning.
Suspect WLC is being charged under Article 435 of Law Number 17 of 2023 concerning Health in conjunction with Appendix I Number 181 of Law Number 1 of 2026 concerning Criminal Adjustments.
He faces a maximum sentence of 12 years in prison or a maximum fine of Rp2 billion (US$109 thousand), category VI.
Tubagus Ade Hidayat, Deputy for Enforcement at the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM), said the ketamine discovery was the second case uncovered by authorities in the Riau Islands region in August 2026.
Although ketamine is used for medical purposes, its distribution requires close regulatory oversight.
"This large-scale disclosure requires attention because ketamine abuse is no longer merely an individual practice but has the potential to become part of economically motivated activities," Tubagus noted.
Meanwhile, Riau Islands Police Chief Inspector General Asep Safrudin said the Riau Islands' geographical location presents a challenge in monitoring the entry points of illegal goods.
"Riau Islands only cover two percent of the land area. We also border international waters. Therefore, we always strengthen synergy with various relevant agencies in enforcing the law, especially against illicit drug trafficking," he pointed out.
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Translator: Amandine Nadja, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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