International
• 2 hours ago• Lim_Rothanaksambath
Indonesia Seizes 1.3 Tonnes of Ketamine from Thailand-Linked Vessel
PHNOM PENH, August 10, 2026 – Indonesian authorities have seized 1.3 tonnes of ketamine worth an estimated $149 million from a vessel that sailed from Thailand, in one of the country's largest drug busts this year.
The MV King Sun, sailing under a Tanzanian flag, was intercepted by the Indonesian Navy on August 6 in waters north of Tanjung Berakit, Riau Islands. The operation followed months of surveillance after intelligence received in February indicated the vessel was carrying "suspicious" cargo from Thailand, according to National Narcotics Agency chief Suyudi Ario Seto.
Inside the ship's hidden compartments, joint teams discovered 65 sacks packed with ketamine. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities working to determine the origin, destination, and network behind the shipment.
Photo Credit: Pusat Penerangan TNI
Eight crew members—seven Myanmar nationals and one Taiwanese—have been detained.
The bust comes just weeks after Indonesia foiled another smuggling attempt from Thailand, seizing 3.37 tonnes of cannabis buds and arresting 12 suspects. Thailand's role as a regional transit point has drawn increased scrutiny from regional law enforcement.
Indonesia maintains some of the world's strictest anti-drug laws, including the death penalty for traffickers, though a moratorium on executions has been in place for several years.
— Sources: AFP / The Japan Times
Pusat Penerangan TNI
Reported by The Khmer Daily Network
The MV King Sun, sailing under a Tanzanian flag, was intercepted by the Indonesian Navy on August 6 in waters north of Tanjung Berakit, Riau Islands. The operation followed months of surveillance after intelligence received in February indicated the vessel was carrying "suspicious" cargo from Thailand, according to National Narcotics Agency chief Suyudi Ario Seto.
Inside the ship's hidden compartments, joint teams discovered 65 sacks packed with ketamine. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities working to determine the origin, destination, and network behind the shipment.
Photo Credit: Pusat Penerangan TNIEight crew members—seven Myanmar nationals and one Taiwanese—have been detained.
The bust comes just weeks after Indonesia foiled another smuggling attempt from Thailand, seizing 3.37 tonnes of cannabis buds and arresting 12 suspects. Thailand's role as a regional transit point has drawn increased scrutiny from regional law enforcement.
Indonesia maintains some of the world's strictest anti-drug laws, including the death penalty for traffickers, though a moratorium on executions has been in place for several years.
— Sources: AFP / The Japan Times
Pusat Penerangan TNI
Reported by The Khmer Daily Network
