JAKARTA – In a dramatic operation off the coast of Sumatra, Indonesia’s navy intercepted a Thai-flagged fishing vessel carrying nearly two tons of methamphetamine and cocaine, valued at a staggering $426 million (7 trillion rupiah) is among Indonesia’s largest recorded drug seizures..
Navy forces detained the ship on 14 May and brought it to their base at Tanjung Balai Karimun. Officers found about 100 yellow and white sacks filled with 1.2 tonnes of cocaine and 705 kilograms of methamphetamine. They arrested one Thai and four Myanmar crew members, whose names have not been released due to ongoing investigations.
Navy spokesperson I Made Wira Hady Arsanta Wardhana called the seizure a major setback for international drug syndicates. However, questions remain about where the drugs came from, where they were headed, and who organised the shipment.
A High-Stakes Operation at Sea
The incident began when Indonesian patrol units noticed unusual activity off the west coast of Sumatra, a well-known route for smugglers. Acting on a tip, Navy teams used speedboats to intercept the Thai-flagged ship, which was pretending to fish. “The way the vessel moved didn’t match normal fishing patterns,” said Commander Fauzi during a press briefing. “They were trying to avoid being spotted.”
When officers boarded, the crew resisted, but the Navy quickly gained control. They found the drugs hidden in sections normally used for fish storage, a tactic now common among traffickers on busy fishing routes. The size of the seizure—nearly 1.9 tonnes of drugs—surprised even veteran officers. “This isn’t just a drug bust. It’s a warning to cartels that Indonesia’s seas aren’t open for business,” Fauzi stated.
Experts believe the methamphetamine likely came from the Golden Triangle, an area at the border of Myanmar, Thailand, and Laos, long known for synthetic drug production. Meth from this region floods Southeast Asia’s markets in huge amounts. A United Nations report from 2024 noted that 190 tonnes of methamphetamine were seized in East and Southeast Asia in 2023, much of it smuggled by ship through areas like the Gulf of Thailand. The cocaine points to a bigger network, possibly linking Latin American cartels with Asian crime groups aiming for markets as far as Japan and New Zealand.
Indonesia’s Zero-Tolerance Approach to Drugs
Indonesia enforces some of the world’s strictest drug laws. Trafficking can lead to the death penalty. Over 150 people, mostly for drug crimes, are on death row. Executions remain part of the government’s approach, despite criticism from human rights groups. Officials argue such steps are necessary to limit the damage drugs cause to society and the economy.
“This operation shows we won’t accept those who endanger our communities,” said Admiral Yudo Margono, Indonesia’s navy chief. The men detained now face serious charges, and prosecutors are expected to seek the harshest punishment allowed. Most Indonesians support these tough rules, even as international groups speak out against the death penalty.
The Navy plays a growing role in fighting drug smuggling. Traffickers increasingly use the sea to move narcotics, taking advantage of Indonesia’s long coastline and strategic location. “The sea is like a highway for them,” said Dr Siti Nurhaliza, a criminologist at the University of Indonesia. “Fishing boats make good cover—they’re everywhere and rarely checked unless there’s a clear tip-off.”
Illegal Fishing: Another Ongoing Challenge
The case also highlights Indonesia’s struggle against illegal fishing, especially by Thai boats. Since 2014, under the leadership of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti and her successors, Indonesia has punished foreign poachers harshly.
In 2019, the navy destroyed 51 foreign fishing vessels, many of them Thai, that were caught fishing without permission in Indonesian waters. These public sinkings are meant to warn and deter future offenders.
Thai fishing boats have long entered Indonesian waters in large numbers, often with no licences or using banned gear. This has hurt both fish stocks and the local economy. In April, police arrested 101 people in a separate operation targeting destructive fishing with bombs and chemicals.
The fact that the drug-smuggling ship was also a fishing vessel raises the possibility that it was involved in illegal fishing, too. “These crews often do more than one thing,” explained Budi Hartono, a fisheries officer in Jakarta. “They fish illegally to cover costs, then smuggle drugs for bigger profits.” Investigators are looking into whether this ship belonged to a larger network known for ignoring Indonesian law.
Regional Crime Networks and Lingering Doubts
The arrest of Thai and Myanmar crew members shows how international these operations are. Ongoing turmoil in Myanmar has helped fuel drug production in the Golden Triangle, with criminal groups ramping up activity. Thailand is a key transit point, as its ports and fishing fleets offer cover for smugglers. The presence of cocaine, still rare in Southeast Asia, points to growing links between Asian and Latin American cartels.
Investigators are now tracking the ship’s planned route and the syndicate behind it. “We’re tracing finances, monitoring communications, and looking at possible local partners,” said a senior official from Indonesia’s National Narcotics Agency (BNN), who asked not to be named. The BNN is working with authorities in Thailand and Myanmar, but cross-border cooperation can be slow or complicated by corruption.
The seizure raises concerns about wider enforcement. Despite Indonesia’s tough stance, the amount of drugs caught suggests many shipments slip through. “If we catch one boat, how many get past us?” Nurhaliza asked. The navy has strong resources but must patrol a huge area with over 17,000 islands, and corruption at some ports remains a problem.
A Country on Alert
The bust has boosted support for Indonesia’s anti-drug and anti-poaching efforts. In Jakarta, President Joko Widodo praised the navy’s work and called for more patrols and stronger international ties. “Our seas are vital,” he said on television. “We’ll defend them no matter what.”
In coastal Sumatra, the news is a clear reminder of the threat from both drugs and poaching. “These ships steal our fish and bring drugs,” said Marni, a trader in Tanjung Balai Karimun. Her view reflects a wider push to protect Indonesia’s resources and future.
The fate of the Thai-flagged vessel and its crew is now with Indonesia’s courts, where those convicted of trafficking face tough punishment. The navy continues its patrols, staying alert to threats across the country’s vast waters. For Indonesia, keeping the seas safe is crucial for both security and the nation’s future.
Sources: Reuters, The Star, Malay Mail
Trending News:
Golden visa Program Launched by Indonesia to Attract Wealthy Foreigners
Geoff Thomas is an award winning journalist known for his sharp insights and no-nonsense reporting style. Over the years he has worked for Reuters and the Canadian Press covering everything from political scandals to human interest stories. He brings a clear and direct approach to his work.
