Indonesia busts 2.6 tons of liquid meth in major drug seizure, 10 arrested

Indonesia has conducted one of its largest-ever drug seizures, intercepting 2.6 tons of liquid methamphetamine concealed within a Tanzanian-flagged vessel. The operation led to the arrest of ten crew members, all reportedly from Myanmar.

The National Narcotics Agency (BNN) received intelligence about a ship traveling from Sarawak through the Andaman Sea, suspected of carrying drugs to Indonesia. In a coordinated effort with the Customs Department, authorities intercepted the MV Rain Maker, which was reportedly using a false name, near Bengkalis in the Riau province.

During the inspection, officials discovered the substantial quantity of liquid meth hidden in eight water barrels and a water tank. Sniffer dogs also located over 1.5 million contraband cigarettes on board the ship. This bust follows a significant seizure last year where Indonesian authorities confiscated two tons of crystal methamphetamine from a fishing boat originating from the Andaman Sea.

The recent operation is the second incident this month involving a Tanzanian-flagged ship intercepted in the area. On August 8, Indonesian authorities seized 1.3 tons of ketamine from a vessel in the waters around the Riau Islands, arresting eight crew members, seven from Myanmar and one from Taiwan.

Indonesia maintains some of the world's strictest anti-drug laws, including the death penalty for drug traffickers. However, the country has observed a moratorium on executions for several years.