World · East Asia & Pacific · 1 hr ago
Indonesia seizes nearly 1.2 tons of drugs at Aceh lab and 1.16 tons of ketamine
Indonesian authorities uncovered a suspected drug lab in Pidie, Aceh, and seized nearly 1.2 tons of narcotics, including liquid methamphetamine and crystal meth.
They also seized 1.16 tons of ketamine from a tanker intercepted off Sumatra and brought to Belawan Port.
Police arrested 11 people in the Aceh case and eight crew members from the tanker.
Investigators suspect the lab was linked to an international trafficking network, and are checking possible ties to groups in China, Malaysia, Indonesia and Southeast Asia’s Golden Triangle.
Indonesia is a major target for drug traffickers, despite strict laws that can impose the death penalty for smuggling.
Authorities are tracing the routes, raw materials and money and trying to identify the people who organized both operations.
They also plan to work with foreign authorities to investigate the suspected international links.
Indonesian authorities reported two major drug operations, seizing nearly 1.2 tons of methamphetamine in Aceh and 1.16 tons of ketamine from a tanker near Sumatra.
The Aceh operation uncovered a clandestine laboratory in Pidie and led to the arrest of 11 people.
The ketamine was found in 58 sacks aboard the tanker MT Global 168, and eight crew members were arrested.
Officials said investigators are tracing the cases’ supply routes, financial networks and suspected organizers.
Reports differ on whether the Aceh operation took place on Oct. 21 or Oct. 22.
- Who
- Indonesian police and partner agencies carried out the operations. They arrested 11 people in the Aceh case and eight crew members in the ketamine case.
- What
- Authorities seized nearly 1.2 tons of methamphetamine at a clandestine laboratory and 1.16 tons of ketamine from a tanker.
- When
- The operations took place in October 2026. Reports place the Aceh action on Oct. 21 or Oct. 22, and the tanker interception on Oct. 20 or Oct. 21.
- Where
- The laboratory was in Pidie, Aceh. The tanker was intercepted in waters near Sumatra and taken to Belawan Port in North Sumatra.
- Why
- Investigators suspected the laboratory was linked to an international drug network and intercepted the tanker after intelligence indicated suspicious activity.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Indonesian police chief Suyudi said a drug network was detected transporting liquid methamphetamine from Myanmar through Laos and Thailand.
The first shipment was reported to have reached Banda Aceh.
Suyudi said a second shipment of nearly 1 ton of liquid methamphetamine began along the same route.
Intelligence officers began tracking the tanker MT Global 168, according to the Straits Times.
Authorities intercepted the tanker; reports differ on the date.
Authorities raided the Pidie laboratory; reports differ on the date.
- Methamphetamine seizure
- Nearly 1.2 tons in Pidie, Aceh
- Ketamine seizure
- 1.16 tons in 58 sacks
- Tanker
- MT Global 168
- Aceh arrests
- 11 people: nine Indonesians and two Chinese nationals
- Tanker arrests
- Eight crew members: seven Indonesians and one Taiwanese national
- Estimated ketamine value
- 3.48 trillion rupiah
10 sources
Berantas Narkoba, Tim Gabungan Gagalkan Penyeludupan 1 Ton Narkoba
4 Fakta Terbongkarnya Kapal Pengangkut 1 Ton Lebih Narkoba
Polisi Gerebek Laboratorium Sabu di Aceh, Sita 1,2 Ton Narkotika
Indonesia carries out two major drug operations
Indonesia seizes 1.1 tonnes of ketamine in major haul
What people are saying
The evidence we seized today is not merely a statistical achievement, but millions of young lives that have been saved.
The back-to-back operations underscore how Indonesia remains a major target for international drug trafficking organizations.
From this search operation, the joint team managed to seize illicit drugs in the form of ketamine HCL (hydrochloride). The evidence was found in 58 sacks with a total weight reaching 1.16 tonnes.