BATAM | INDATANEWS.COM - Close cooperation among Indonesia's law enforcement agencies in combating drug trafficking has once again produced significant results. The government, together with the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL), the Indonesian National Police (Polri), the National Narcotics Agency (BNN), the State Intelligence Agency (BIN), and the Customs and Excise authorities, destroyed a total of 1.3 tons of ketamine. The drugs had been seized during the uncovering of a smuggling case in Batam. The destruction took place on Wednesday, August 12, 2026.
The destruction of the evidence was carried out at the Kodaeral IV headquarters in Batam. The event was attended by, among others, Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, retired Lieutenant General Djamari Chaniago; Minister of Home Affairs, retired Police General Prof. Drs. H. Muhammad Tito Karnavian; Chief of the
Indonesian Navy Admiral Dr. Muhammad Ali; Commander of Kodaeral IV Rear Admiral Berkat Widjanarko; several senior government officials; as well as representatives of the Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda), TNI, and Polri.
The destruction was part of a series of measures to uncover a large-scale drug smuggling operation involving cooperation among several government institutions. The authorities had previously seized the evidence from the MV. King Sun after the Indonesian Navy conducted a security and inspection operation in Indonesian waters.
MV. King Sun Movements Monitored
The case began to unfold on August 5, 2026, when the KRI Kerambit-627 began searching for the MV. King Sun, which had been designated a "Vessel of Interest." The authorities subsequently continued monitoring the vessel's movements until it was located on August 6, 2026, within Indonesia's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
The
KRI Kerambit-627 then placed the
MV. King Sun under surveillance in a so-called shadowing operation until the vessel entered Indonesian territorial waters. Once the vessel was within Indonesian sovereign waters, the
KRI Kerambit-627 deployed a Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) team to inspect the vessel and its cargo.
The MV. King Sun was subsequently escorted to berth, allowing the authorities to conduct more thorough inspections and investigations of the vessel, its cargo, and its crew members (ABK).
During the inspection, officers discovered 65 sacks containing ketamine. The evidence was secured for the subsequent legal proceedings before ultimately being destroyed in accordance with established procedures.
With an estimated economic value of 2 million rupiah per gram, the seized drugs were valued at approximately 4.55 trillion rupiah. The figure illustrates the enormous potential economic damage and social consequences that could have resulted had the drugs reached the illicit market.
Authorities also estimated that between 6.5 million and 13 million people could have been protected from the potential consequences of misuse of the dangerous substance as a result of the smuggling operation being uncovered.
KETAMINE SMUGGLING UNCOVERED: The KRI Kerambit-627 uncovered the ketamine smuggling operation after searching for and monitoring the MV. King Sun until the vessel entered Indonesian territorial waters. (PHOTO: Dalil Harahap)
Destruction Using Three Incinerators
After the evidence was uncovered and secured, authorities destroyed all of the ketamine at the parade ground of the Kodaeral IV headquarters. Three mobile incinerators belonging to Indonesia's BNN and the BNN of the Riau Islands Province were used in the destruction process.
Before the destruction began, a press conference was held at the Raja Haji Fisabilillah Multipurpose Building (GSG) at Kodaeral IV. Government and law enforcement officials presented the results of the operation and reaffirmed their joint commitment to combating the cross-border threat posed by drug trafficking.
The destruction of the large quantity of evidence underscores the government's determination to disrupt illegal drug supply chains. Cooperation among the TNI, Polri, BNN, BIN, Customs, and other law enforcement agencies represents an important step toward further restricting the operating space of drug-smuggling networks.
The government also emphasized that uncovering the case was part of the implementation of the seventh Asta-Cita priority of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, which includes strengthening the prevention and eradication of drug-related crimes.
Efforts to combat drug smuggling, however, do not end with the destruction of the evidence. Authorities are continuing intensive questioning of the crew members of the MV. King Sun. Investigators are pursuing the case in order to expand the investigation and uncover possible links to the network allegedly behind the drug-smuggling operation.
65 SACKS OF KETAMINE SEIZED: Authorities inspect the
MV. King Sun and seize 65 sacks of ketamine as part of efforts to expand the investigation into the drug-smuggling network. (PHOTO: Dalil Harahap)
TNI AL Strengthens Maritime Surveillance
The success of the
KRI Kerambit-627 in thwarting the large-scale ketamine smuggling operation also highlights the role of the
Indonesian Navy in securing waters under Indonesian jurisdiction. Monitoring vessels entering or transiting Indonesian waters is an important component of preventing various forms of unlawful activity.
The MV. King Sun case also demonstrates how smuggling networks can use maritime routes to bring large quantities of illegal goods into the country. Therefore, coordination among agencies is crucial—from detecting suspicious activities and tracking and inspecting vessels to taking legal action against suspected offenders.
Cooperation among the
Indonesian Navy, Police,
BNN, BIN, Customs, and other relevant institutions is expected to continue expanding. This is necessary to prevent Indonesian waters from becoming a transit route for cross-border drug trafficking.
The destruction of 1.3 tons of ketamine in Batam not only eliminates the risk of the seized drugs entering circulation but also reaffirms the government's commitment to combating drug trafficking. At the same time, investigations into the crew members of the MV. King Sun are continuing in an effort to identify the alleged masterminds behind the smuggling network.
With strengthened maritime surveillance and continuously expanded cooperation among law enforcement agencies, the government seeks to ensure that Indonesia's sea routes do not become an entry point for drug trafficking that could threaten public safety.
(IDNC)REPORTER: Dalil Harahap | EDITOR: Fik Sagala