Medan. Indonesian authorities have seized 1.16 metric tons of ketamine worth an estimated Rp 3.5 trillion ($192.5 million) from a tanker suspected of smuggling the substance into Indonesia from Malaysia, National Police Chief Suyudi Ario Seto said Friday.

The tanker, MT Global 168, was intercepted in waters off Tanjung Balai Asahan, North Sumatra, on Oct. 19 during a joint operation targeting suspected cross-border drug trafficking.

Authorities detained the vessel and its eight crew members after discovering 58 sacks containing ketamine on board, Suyudi told a news conference at Bandar Deli Port in Belawan, North Sumatra, where the seized tanker was displayed.

The operation involved personnel from the National Narcotics Agency (BNN), the Directorate General of Customs and Excise, the Indonesian Military and the National Police.

Suyudi said the seizure followed an intelligence investigation that began in August, with authorities using evidence recovered from another vessel previously intercepted while transporting ketamine.

"Based on the information gathered, the identity of MT Global 168 was also traced through documents found aboard Fushan Sing 1, which had previously been intercepted carrying approximately 800 kilograms of ketamine," Suyudi said.

The documents provided an early lead in efforts to identify other vessels suspected of involvement in similar smuggling operations.

Tanker Allegedly Concealed Movements and Identity
According to the investigation, MT Global 168 departed Pasir Gudang in Johor, Malaysia, for waters near the Andaman Sea in September 2026.

The vessel subsequently stopped at Port Klang to replenish water and fuel before allegedly conducting a ship-to-ship cargo transfer in the Andaman Sea.

Such transfers allow cargo to be moved between vessels at sea without passing through a port. Investigators suspect the method was used to conceal the shipment's origin and avoid inspections.

Authorities also identified unusual activity involving the vessel's automatic identification system (AIS), which transmits information about a ship's identity, location, course and movements.

Investigators believe the tanker deliberately switched off its AIS for extended periods to evade maritime surveillance.

An analysis of the vessel's movements suggested that it received cargo from another ship in the Andaman Sea during the second week of October.

The suspicion was supported by records showing that its AIS signal had been inactive for three days and 17 hours.

On Oct. 18, maritime monitoring systems detected another anomaly: the vessel appeared to transmit two different identities, MP12168, identified as a tanker, and Roforsky Dolphin, listed as a tugboat.

Investigators also observed that the vessel had slowed down while operating in the Andaman Sea.

Authorities said the irregular movements, prolonged AIS shutdown, and conflicting identification data are part of the intelligence assessment that led to the tanker's interception on Oct. 19.

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