Indonesian Navy Foils Narcotics Smuggling from Malaysia in Karimun

The Indonesian Navy’s Tanjung Balai Karimun Naval Base (Lanal TBK) foiled a narcotics smuggling attempt from Malaysia via the sea route in the Northeast waters of Takong Iyu Island, Karimun Regency, Riau Islands, on Wednesday. Rear Admiral Berkat Widjanarko, Commander of Regional Naval Command IV, stressed that his command would continue to boost surveillance and patrols in border waters. ‘We will continue to increase supervision to prevent various forms of legal violations, including narcotics smuggling, in order to maintain maritime security and protect the public from the threat of cross-border crime,’ he said in an official statement received in Batam on Thursday. The success began with a tip-off from the public received by the Quick Response Team of Regional Naval Command IV at Lanal Tanjung Balai Karimun. ‘We received information about a plan to smuggle narcotics from Tanjung Piai, Johor, Malaysia into the Karimun area,’ he stated. Following up on the information, the Quick Response Team, together with personnel from the Regional Naval Command IV Task Force, immediately conducted surveillance and set up a cordon around the waters of Pulau Takong Iyu Kecil. At around 11:30 a.m. local time, the team detected a fibreglass speedboat with a 40-horsepower engine travelling at high speed from Malaysian waters towards Indonesian territory. The team then initiated intercept and inspection procedures on the speedboat. During the initial inspection at sea, officers discovered suspicious indications regarding the skipper, identified as AK, a 67-year-old resident of Tanjung Balai Karimun. The team subsequently escorted the speedboat and its skipper to the Takong Iyu Naval Post for further examination. ‘From the results of the inspection, officers found 1,084 grammes of crystal methamphetamine hidden inside a blue thermos flask compartment, as well as 582 Hellcat-brand ecstasy pills packed in clear plastic,’ he disclosed. A number of other items were also seized, including two mobile phones, personal identification documents, cash, and the fibreglass speedboat used to transport the illicit goods. ‘Subsequently, suspect AK along with the evidence was secured at the Tanjung Balai Karimun Naval Base Headquarters to undergo further processing,’ he added. To verify the type of evidence discovered, a team from the Customs and Excise Office and the Karimun Police Narcotics Unit conducted sample testing, which yielded positive results for methamphetamine and ecstasy pills. This case disclosure represents the synergy and readiness of elements of the Indonesian Navy in supporting efforts to eradicate the circulation of narcotics via sea routes. Currently, the suspect and all evidence remain in custody for further investigation. The case will be transferred to the Karimun Police for legal proceedings in accordance with applicable regulations.