Taiwanese National Arrested in Riau Islands Waters Attempting to Smuggle 800 Kilograms of Ketamine

A joint team from the National Narcotics Board (BNN), the National Police Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim Polri), the Directorate General of Customs and Excise, and the Riau Islands Regional Police has successfully thwarted the smuggling of 800 kilograms of ketamine in the waters of the Riau Islands. The operation targeted an international syndicate network and led to the designation of a Taiwanese national, identified by the initials WLC, as a suspect playing the role of controller.

During a press conference held at the Riau Islands Regional Police headquarters in Batam on Tuesday, 1 September 2026, high-ranking officials including the Head of Criminal Investigation Commissioner General Syahardiantono, Director General of Customs and Excise Djaka Budhi Utama, Deputy for Eradication of the BNN Irjen Pol Aswin Sipayung, and the Riau Islands Regional Police Chief Irjen Pol Asep Safrudin, provided details regarding the drug seizure and the ongoing investigation into the international syndicate.