Tanzania-flagged ship carrying 2.6 tons of liquid meth seized in Kepri
Authorities detained 10 crew members of MV Ocean Porter, with Customs saying the cargo could harm as many as 14,15 million people.
A joint team from Bea Cukai, Badan Narkotika Nasional and Polda Kepulauan Riau seized the Tanzania-flagged vessel MV Ocean Porter in Kepulauan Riau waters on 17-18 August 2026 after detecting suspected narcotics smuggling by sea. During the ship inspection, officers found eight drums and one tank containing a pungent-smelling liquid hidden in the cargo hold. Initial testing with a narcotics identification device showed the liquid tested positive for methamphetamine, or liquid meth, with an estimated gross weight of about 2.6 tons. The vessel was then taken to the PSO Bea Cukai Tanjung Balai Karimun dock for further examination. According to Djaka Budhi Utama, the size of the seizure pointed to a serious effort to bring narcotics into Indonesia. CNBC reported that 10 crew members were also detained.