Initial Police Suspicion of Ship Carrying 1.16 Tons of Ketamine: Noticed Sudden Maneuver

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The Deputy Director of Drug Crime (Wadirnarkoba) at the Indonesian National Police's Criminal Investigation Unit, Kombes Cahyo Hutomo, revealed how police intercepted the tanker ship MT Global 168 carrying 1.16 tons of Ketamine HCl.

"Why did we steer the ship? While sailing, it slowed down and was heading west toward Thailand. Heading west toward Thailand," said Cahyo during a press conference at the Criminal Investigation Unit in South Jakarta on Monday night (26/10/2026).

The police became suspicious when the ship made a sudden maneuver, turning toward Sumatra, Indonesia.

"However, it then turned again toward the Andaman Sea at the southern border of the Andaman Sea, which is already near the border with Sumatra Island," Cahyo explained.

The ship then made a crossing and transferred its cargo, known as ship to ship, to another vessel. At that moment, police took action.

"That’s when we conducted the interception and raid," he added.

1 Foreigner from Taiwan Becomes Suspect

The Criminal Investigation Unit has named one suspect, a Taiwanese national with the initials YCY.

YCY is the ship’s manager, responsible for controlling the cargo and directing the tanker on its course.

"So the crew's task is just to sail. According to orders, turn right, turn left; that’s the manager’s job. That’s why we’ve named the ship’s manager as the suspect," said Cahyo.

MT Global 168 Recruits Older Crew Members

Meanwhile, Cahyo stated that the network intentionally recruits older crew members.

According to him, older individuals joining the crew are seen as needing money, thus agreeing to participate in transporting the tanker.

There are seven crew members on board MT Global 168, all of whom are Indonesian citizens.

"This modus operandi usually involves recruiting crew members who are older, past their retirement age. Therefore, for them, it’s like, 'Oh, these are people who need money in their old age'. Eventually, they get recruited," he added.

The estimated value of the evidence seized in this case reaches Rp 3.4 trillion.

National Police Chief General Suyudi Ario Seto stated that the suspect was named following an investigation of the crew and an examination of the evidence found on the tanker.

Suyudi explained that YCY, a Taiwanese individual, is charged under the provisions of Law No. 17 of 2023 concerning Health, in accordance with the penal provisions in Law No. 1 of 2026 concerning Penal Adjustments.

"The article charged against the suspect is Article 435 of Law No. 17 of 2023 concerning Health in conjunction with Annex I Number 181 of Law No. 1 of 2026 concerning Penal Adjustments, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 12 years or a fine of up to Category VI of Rp 2 billion," explained the Police Chief.