Ship Carrying $428M Worth of Drugs Seized Near Riau Islands

Indonesia: Indonesia seized a ship carrying methamphetamine and cocaine worth 7.057 trillion Indonesian rupiah ($428 million) off western islands, the Indonesian Navy said on Friday. The ship, which was transporting 705 kg of crystal methamphetamine and 1.2 tons of cocaine, was intercepted on Tuesday near the Riau Islands, according to a statement by the navy. According to Anadolu Agency, authorities became suspicious after spotting a foreign fishing boat entering Indonesian waters. The vessel ignored orders to stop and accelerated its speed, prompting a naval chase. Following its capture, officials noted that the vessel, despite being a fishing ship, lacked any fishing equipment. After the ship arrived at the base, officials found 60 white and 35 yellow sacks containing cocaine and methamphetamine. One Thai national and four Myanmar nationals aboard the Thai-flagged vessel were arrested.