National Police Chief Releases Joint Operation Results

National Police Chief General Suyudi Ario Seto announced the success of a joint operation by the Indonesian National Police, the National Narcotics Agency (BNN), and the Directorate General of Customs and Excise that foiled an attempt to smuggle approximately 1.16 tons of ketamine HCl in the waters of Tanjung Balai Asahan, North Sumatra.

At a press conference at the Pelindo Bandar Deli Belawan Port Pier, North Sumatra, on Friday (23/10/2026), the National Police Chief stated that the disclosure was the result of coordination between security personnel and local government in dismantling an international narcotics smuggling network.

"This is tangible proof of our collective seriousness—the TNI and Polri united, Customs, the BNN, including local governments," said Suyudi.

Anomalous AIS Mode and Months-Long Tracking

The disclosure began with intelligence monitoring of ship movements deemed suspicious in the Malacca Strait since August 2026. A joint team tracked the tanker MT Global 168 across the Andaman Sea.

According to the National Police Chief, the team found a number of AIS anomalies, including mismatches in vessel identity. The ship's Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) number transmitted two different identities, namely MT Global 168 as a tanker and Rovos Ki Dotim as a tugboat.

The operation was prepared for October 19 with support from Customs patrol vessels BC 20006 and KP Murai 4018. MT Global 168 was eventually secured in the waters of Tanjung Balai Asahan, then towed to the Belawan Port dock for further inspection.

Eight Crew Members Arrested, Including Taiwanese Foreign National

In the operation, officers arrested eight crew members suspected of being involved in cross-border narcotics transport. The National Police chief explained that the eight individuals consist of seven Indonesian citizens and one foreign national from Taiwan.

The eight crew members consisted of seven Indonesian citizens and one foreign national from Taiwan, each of whom had a role in operating the vessel, Suyudi explained.

The eight crew members include individuals with the initials IC as captain, RS as chief officer, JA as chief engineer, IAE as second engineer, JMR as oiler, as well as RF, DPB, and YCY, who are Taiwanese foreign nationals serving as able seamen. Investigators also seized 14 mobile phones suspected of being used as communication tools for the network.

Worth Rp3.48 Trillion, 5.8 Million Lives Saved

The evidence consisted of 58 sacks of ketamine HCl with a total gross weight reaching 1.16 tons. Based on the National Police Chief's calculations, assuming a black market price of Rp3 million per gram, the evidence is estimated to be worth Rp3.48 trillion.

The National Police Chief also stated that this bust is estimated to have prevented the risk of narcotics abuse for at least 5.8 million people and saved the state potential rehabilitation costs of up to Rp116 trillion, assuming a cost of Rp20 million per person over six months.

"These fantastic figures are concrete proof of just how devastating the international syndicate's impact is on our national resilience," said Suyudi.