Indonesia arrests 10 Myanmar nationals following liquid meth bust

Indonesia has arrested 10 Myanmar nationals in connection with a drug bust involving 2.6 tonnes of liquid methamphetamine found aboard a Tanzanian-flagged ship, authorities said at a press conference on Friday.

The drugs were found in a water tank and eight 200-litre drums hidden on top of a container on the vessel, Indonesia’s National Narcotics Agency chief Suyudi Ario Seto said.

“This is concrete evidence that narcotics crimes have evolved from solid forms into liquid forms to infiltrate public lifestyles through the use of vapes or electronic cigarettes,” Seto said, calling for a total ban on vapes.

Indonesia has strict drug laws, with some offences punishable by death.

The joint operation, involving the National Narcotics Agency, police and customs authorities, stemmed from intelligence analysed by the drug agency since December last year. Authorities became suspicious after the vessel repeatedly changed its identity.

They eventually intercepted the ship on Monday, August 17, as it was sailing through the waters of the Riau Islands in western Indonesia.

Authorities said the group arrested on Monday had links to previous arrests earlier this month involving a ship carrying 1.3 tonnes of ketamine, also intercepted in Riau waters. Most of the crew members on that vessel were also Myanmar nationals.