Case of 1.3 Tonnes of Ketamine Transferred to Bareskrim, 8 Suspects Flown to Jakarta

The investigation into the smuggling of 1.3 tonnes of ketamine uncovered in the waters off Berakit, Bintan, has been transferred to the National Police’s Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim). Eight suspects have been flown to Jakarta for further examination. Brigadier General Eko Hadi Santoso, Director of Narcotics Crime at Bareskrim, stated that the eight suspects, all crew members of the MV King Sun, were transported from the Riau Islands to Jakarta today. ‘The eight ABK suspects from the ketamine-carrying vessel MV King Sun have been taken to Jakarta for further investigation by Sub-directorate 3 of the Narcotics Crime Directorate at Bareskrim. The group is expected to arrive in Jakarta at 20.00 WIB,’ he told reporters on Thursday (13/8/2026).

Senior Commissioner Zulkarnain Harahap, Head of Sub-directorate 3, explained that the arrests were made by a joint team comprising the Indonesian Navy’s Fleet Command I, the National Narcotics Agency (BNN), the State Intelligence Agency (BIN), and Customs and Excise. However, the investigation was handed over to the police based on the applicable legal regulations. ‘Because the authority to investigate pharmaceutical preparations lies with the police, specifically Sub-directorate 3 of the Narcotics Crime Directorate at Bareskrim,’ he clarified. He added that this division of tasks is in accordance with Law Number 17 of 2023 on Health, which stipulates that investigations related to pharmaceutical preparations are conducted by the police, while BNN focuses on narcotics and psychotropic substances. ‘The investigators are police officers, whereas BNN investigates narcotics and psychotropic substances,’ Zulkarnain added.

In this case, the eight suspects, all foreign nationals from Myanmar, are not being charged under the Narcotics Law but under Law Number 17 of 2023 on Health. This is because ketamine is not yet categorised as a narcotic under current Indonesian regulations. The joint task force previously intercepted the cargo vessel MV King Sun in the waters off Berakit, Bintan. The operation was the result of extensive monitoring since February 2026 after authorities received information about unusual activity from a vessel moving from the Thailand region. Following a pursuit and search, officers discovered 1.3 tonnes of ketamine. The evidence and suspects have been secured for further legal proceedings. ‘The investigation will be conducted by the Narcotics Crime Directorate of Bareskrim. As conveyed by the head of BNN RI, we have taken statements from nine people, eight suspects and one criminal law expert,’ said Bareskrim Chief Commissioner General Syahardiantono on Wednesday (12/8). The evidence was found after officers inspected and investigated the vessel, discovering 65 sacks containing dozens of packages of ketamine in a section of the ship. Bareskrim will now probe the role of each suspect, including the origin of the cargo, the party that ordered the shipment, and the network behind the ketamine smuggling. ‘We continue to hope for cooperation and further investigation,’ he said.