TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Head of the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) of the Republic of Indonesia, Commissioner General Marthinus Hukom, revealed that 11 crew members involved in drug smuggling through the waters of the Riau Islands (Kepri) are part of an international syndicate network.
These crew members were implicated in two separate drug smuggling incidents involving foreign vessels, the Motor Vessel (KM) Sea Dragon Tarawa and KM The Aungtoetoe99. The group consisted of 4 Indonesian nationals, 4 Myanmar nationals, and 3 Thai nationals.
The KM Sea Dragon crew was caught attempting to smuggle 2 tons of methamphetamine on May 21, 2025. Meanwhile, the KM The Aungtoetoe99 crew was arrested on May 13, 2025, with 1.2 tons of cocaine and 768 kilograms of methamphetamine in their possession.
"The suspects in the drug smuggling cases originating from various countries such as Indonesia, Myanmar, and Thailand are part of an international narcotics syndicate network," Hukom stated at a press conference at Tanjung Ucang Port, Batam City, Kepri, on Monday, May 26, 2025.
Hukom explained that the suspects, all employees in the shipping sector, were recruited by the international narcotics syndicate to transport drugs by ship to multiple countries
"The suspects were tempted by a wage of 50,000 baht or the equivalent of Rp24 million per trip and an additional bonus of US$3,000 or equivalent to Rp50 million," he added.
When questioned by authorities, Marthinus noted that the suspects admitted they knew their actions were wrong but were swayed by the financial rewards and failed to consider the legal consequences.
"They overlooked the laws that would trap them because they were lured by the higher wages," he said.
Deputy Chief of Staff for Security and Polkam Lieutenant General Mochammad Hasan, who attended the press conference at Tanjung Uncang, emphasized the dangers narcotics pose to Indonesians, highlighting how sailors are exploited due to lucrative pay.
"It has been explained how easily Indonesian citizens are influenced by wages of Rp50 million and Rp30 million, utilizing their profession as sailors and being exploited to smuggle these illegal goods," he stated.
He further noted that the uncovering of these two major drug smuggling cases in Kepri demonstrates the Indonesian government’s strong commitment to combating drug trafficking.
The investigations into these two smuggling cases are currently ongoing under the jurisdiction of BNN.
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