Jakarta, ThedailyID — The Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) has destroyed 1.3 tons of ketamine seized during a joint maritime operation last week, with authorities estimating the drugs were worth between Rp2.6 trillion (about US$157 million) and Rp4.5 trillion (about US$272 million).
Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Djamari Chaniago joined senior government officials at the destruction ceremony held at Kodaeral IV Headquarters in Batam on Wednesday.
According to Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Muhammad Ali, the operation began after KRI Kerambit-627 detected the Tanzanian-flagged vessel MV King Sun entering Indonesian waters near Tanjung Berakit, Bintan Island, in the Riau Islands.
The warship monitored the vessel before a Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) team boarded and inspected it.
Authorities later escorted the ship to Kodaeral IV for a more detailed search involving the Indonesian Navy, Customs, the National Narcotics Agency (BNN), the State Intelligence Agency (BIN), and the National Police.
The joint team discovered 65 suspicious sacks hidden beneath the ship’s floor.
“Digital forensic analysis and specialized Customs equipment confirmed that the 65 sacks contained an estimated 1.3 tons of ketamine,” Admiral Ali said in a written statement.
Ali said the seizure may have prevented the illegal distribution of narcotics to an estimated 13 million people.
Authorities continue to question the ship’s entire crew as part of the ongoing investigation.
Ali also said the Navy has intensified maritime law enforcement over the past two years. Between 2025 and 2026, it intercepted 5.3 tons of narcotics and 849.74 tons of illegally transported mineral resources.
The combined value of those seizures reached an estimated Rp30.3 trillion (about US$1.83 billion), he said.
Ali added that the operation supports President Prabowo Subianto’s Asta Cita agenda, particularly efforts to strengthen the fight against illegal drugs.
