BNN: Seized 2.6 Tonnes of Liquid Meth Linked to 1.3 Tonne Ketamine Case
Head of BNN RI, Commissioner General Suyudi Ario Seto, has revealed new details from the seizure of 2.6 tonnes of liquid narcotics in the waters of the Riau Islands (Kepri). The operation, it turns out, is connected to the earlier seizure of 1.3 tonnes of ketamine previously carried out by BNN.
“Regarding the network we uncovered this time, 2.6 tonnes of liquid methamphetamine, there is a link to the previous network that was carrying 1.3 tonnes of ketamine,” said Suyudi in Batam on Friday (21/8/2026).
He said the connection is not merely because the perpetrators come from Myanmar. The investigation is also being developed comprehensively.
“There is a link, yes. Not just because they are fellow Myanmar nationals, but there happens to be an overlap and a connection. And we are still developing this to uncover those higher up,” he said.
Previously, a joint team from the Criminal Investigation Agency of the Indonesian National Police (Bareskrim Polri), the Directorate General of Customs and Excise, BNN RI, and the Indonesian Navy foiled an attempt to smuggle ketamine in the waters off Bintan. The vessel carrying 1.3 tonnes of ketamine was secured.
Based on information obtained, the vessel was stopped by the Customs Sea Patrol Task Force together with KRI Kerambit-627 in the northern waters of Berakit, Bintan, on Thursday (6/8). The operation stemmed from international intelligence received by the Directorate General of Customs and Excise from Thai authorities in May 2026, reinforced by intelligence data from the Taiwan Coast Guard via Bareskrim Polri in early August 2026.
The joint team intensified monitoring of the vessel’s movements. After being stopped, the vessel and its entire crew were escorted to Kodaeral IV Batam Pier for inspection.
On Friday (7/8), the joint team successfully uncovered the perpetrators’ modus operandi. They had hidden the illicit goods in a concealed compartment near the ship’s bridge.
Officers secured 65 sacks containing 1,300 packages of Chinese tea with a total weight of approximately 1.3 tonnes. Test results using a Rigaku device confirmed that all samples tested positive for ketamine.
In this operation, officers detained eight crew members consisting of one Taiwanese national with the initials TSM (43) and seven Myanmar nationals, namely KH (29), MML (36), ML (55), PL (27), TA (51), ZO (38), and MML (44).
Meanwhile, the joint authorities foiled the distribution of 2.6 tonnes of liquid narcotics and 1.5 million illegal cigarettes on Monday (17/8) in the waters of the Riau Islands. Ten people have been named as suspects in that operation.