Sea Dragon ABK Fandi Ramadhan Found Guilty as Intermediary in Narcotics Trafficking

A Batam District Court has found Fandi Ramadhan, an Anak Buah Kapal (ABK) of the Sea Dragon Terawa, guilty of conspiring to commit illicit drug trafficking and acting as an intermediary in the sale and purchase of narcotics class I beyond five grams. The court, presided over by Chief Judge Tiwik, sentenced him to five years in prison on 5 March 2026. The verdict is notable for its significant gap with the prosecution’s demand for the death penalty against six defendants in the case, including Fandi Ramadhan. The judges ruled that Ramadhan had been proven beyond reasonable doubt to have conspired in the illicit trafficking operation, acting as an intermediary in narcotics classified as narcotics not plant-based with a gross weight of 1,995,139 grams (about 1.99 tonnes). The narcotics were packed in 67 brown cartons: 66 cartons contained green Guanyinwang branded Chinese tea packaging, and one carton contained crystalline methamphetamine. The court considered the enormity of the quantity a factor that could endanger the nation’s youth if circulated domestically, though it also noted humanitarian considerations in favour of reducing the sentence. ‘The offender showed polite behaviour during the trial and is young, thus expected to reform in the future,’ said Judge Tiwik. The decision cited Article 114(2) in conjunction with Article 132(1) of the Indonesian Narcotics Law No. 35 of 2009, and relevant provisions of the Indonesian Penal Code. While the sentence is far below the death penalty, Ramadhan’s family and legal counsel expressed that the verdict did not deliver justice and asserted that he had no involvement with the network. Ramadhan and his counsel have seven days to consider an appeal. Proceedings against other defendants in the case continue. Verdict readings for two Thai nationals are scheduled for Friday (6 March), with three other defendants, including Hasiholan Samosir, set to be sentenced on Monday (9 March).