Vessel Carrying 1.3 Tonnes of Ketamine Intercepted, BNN Chief Warns Drug Syndicates

A joint task force comprising the Indonesian National Police’s Criminal Investigation Department (Bareskrim Polri), the Directorate General of Customs and Excise, the National Narcotics Agency (BNN), and the Indonesian Navy has thwarted the smuggling of 1,298 kilogrammes of the psychotropic substance ketamine in the waters of the Riau Islands. Eight foreign crew members were detained during the operation.

BNN Chief Commissioner General Suyudi Ario Seto explained that ketamine is medically used as an anaesthetic. However, it is also abused as a recreational drug because it can induce hallucinations and a floating sensation. He highlighted various methods of abuse, with the most alarming being the synthesis of ketamine into a liquid form that is then mixed into vape liquids, making it extremely difficult to detect.

Legally, ketamine is not yet classified as a narcotic in Indonesia but is categorised as a strictly controlled hard drug. The BNN is currently proposing that ketamine be reclassified as a narcotic, with discussions already underway with the Narcotics Classification Committee. The estimated street value of the seized drugs is nearly IDR 2.1 trillion, and the agency believes the interception has potentially saved 6.49 million lives from the threat of drug abuse.

Commissioner General Suyudi stated that the successful operation was the result of strong inter-agency synergy and a commitment to implementing President Prabowo Subianto’s ‘Asta Cita’ vision to close loopholes in drug smuggling. He issued a stern warning to drug syndicates that Indonesian waters will not be a free passage for their activities and called on coastal communities to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity.