Key facts
- 1.16 tonnes of ketamine seized from MT Global 168 tanker.
- Tanker owned by Malaysian-registered company with two Malaysian directors.
- Eight crew members arrested: seven Indonesians and one Chinese national.
- Vessel's AIS was allegedly switched off for three days to evade detection.
Indonesian authorities have seized a tanker, MT Global 168, carrying 1.16 tonnes of ketamine hydrochloride, with an estimated street value of US$14 million (RM60 million). The vessel, which had previously sought Malaysian registration but sailed under the Mongolian flag, is owned by a Malaysian-registered company, Makmur Marine Petroleum, based in Johor Bahru. Two Malaysian directors are associated with the company. Eight crew members, seven Indonesians and one Chinese national, were arrested. Malaysian police are collaborating with their Indonesian counterparts to investigate potential links to Malaysian drug syndicates.