Six Crew Members Arrested After Drug Party on Fishing Vessel at Sea

Personnel from the Indonesian Navy’s Regional Command I (Kodaeral I) uncovered an alleged drug party involving crew members aboard the fishing vessel KM Aries Indo XVIII while it was sailing from Belawan to a fishing ground on Thursday (11/6).

Kodaeral I spokesperson Colonel Wahyu Kurniawan stated the case came to light when the warship KRI Imam Bonjol-383 conducted an inspection and law enforcement operation in the northern waters of Pusung Island. “At the time, Kodaeral I personnel were inspecting an Indonesian fishing vessel sailing from Belawan to a fishing ground,” he said on Friday (12/6).

Wahyu reported that officers found a number of items suspected to be linked to narcotics abuse, including 47 used small plastic packets believed to have contained methamphetamine. They also discovered one packet still containing the substance, three suction devices (bongs), four lighters, and four plastic bong bottles, one of which was still filled.

“These findings strongly indicate narcotics abuse activity on board the vessel while it was operating at sea,” he said.

Based on initial questioning, Wahyu said six crew members admitted to using methamphetamine during fishing operations. The confession further strengthened the suspicion of legal violations occurring on the vessel. “These six individuals admitted to using methamphetamine. This forms the basis for the authorities to conduct further investigation and inquiry to uncover the source and the network involved,” he stated.

Wahyu confirmed that KRI Imam Bonjol-383 escorted KM Aries Indo XVIII to the Kodaeral I headquarters in Belawan. The vessel docked safely at the South Pier of Kodaeral I to undergo further examination. “Kodaeral I and the Indonesian Navy are committed to supporting the eradication of narcotics and keeping Indonesian waters safe from all forms of legal violations. The case has been transferred to the police,” he said.