2 Tonnes of Methamphetamine and 157 Bales of Illegal Cigarettes Smuggled by Foreign Vessel in Riau Islands
The Director of Enforcement and Pursuit at Indonesia’s National Narcotics Agency (BNN), Police Brigadier General Roy Hardi Siahaan, stated that the foreign-flagged cargo vessel MV Ocean Porter, sailing under the Tanzanian flag, was carrying 2.6 tonnes of methamphetamine, a Category 1 narcotic, in liquid form stored in eight drums and a water tank.
In addition, hundreds of illegal cigarettes were also seized from the vessel.
The ship was intercepted based on intelligence indicating that narcotics would be transported from Sarawak via the Andaman Sea towards Indonesian waters. The vessel was stopped on Monday evening (17/8) as it passed through the waters of Tanjung Parit, Bengkalis, Riau.
“The inspection of the vessel found 2.6 tonnes of methamphetamine, a Category 1 narcotic in liquid form, stored in eight drums and a water tank,” he said in a statement via a short video received by CNNIndonesia.com on Wednesday (19/8).
He further explained that after receiving intelligence, the Head of BNN formed a joint operations team comprising BNN, Customs and Excise, and the Riau Islands Police to carry out the interception on 17 August 2026 at around 6.15 p.m. Western Indonesia Time.
The vessel was then towed to the dock. Upon inspection, it was found to be Tanzanian-flagged and named MV Ocean Porter. The vessel is suspected to have originally been named MV Rain Maker.
“The Ocean Porter is believed to have originally been named MV Rain Maker before being changed to MV Ocean Porter under the Tanzanian flag,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Head of the Regional Office of the Directorate General of Customs and Excise (DJBC) for the Riau Islands, Sodikin, said that the joint operation not only secured 2.6 tonnes of methamphetamine but also seized one container holding 40-foot plain cigarettes without excise stamps from China, brand RD, totalling 157 boxes.
“In addition to the 2.6 tonnes of methamphetamine, we also found one container of 40-foot plain cigarettes without excise stamps from China, brand RD, totalling 157 boxes or bales, each containing 50 slops, and each slop containing 10 packs,” he said in a statement via a short video received by CNNIndonesia.com on Wednesday.
He added that the results of the joint operation and synergy were reported from the dock base, the operational facility base of Customs and Excise in Tanjung Balai Karimun.
In addition to securing the vessel and evidence, officers also detained 10 crew members who are Myanmar nationals.
The modus operandi of this narcotics network is suspected to involve the use of a falsified vessel identity, changing the name from MV Rain Maker to MV Ocean Porter under the Tanzanian flag.