The Largest Drug Bust in Indonesian History

UNGKIT.COM – In recent years, various large-scale operations have exposed international networks involved in smuggling drugs into Indonesia.

The smuggling of nearly 4 tons of crystal methamphetamine—involving two separate incidents in the waters of the Riau Islands in May 2025—ranks among the largest drug seizures in Indonesian history.

These two cases involving international drug networks, with a combined total of nearly 4 tons of seized contraband, were uncovered in the waters of the Riau Islands within a span of just over a week.

The incidents included the interception of a shipment containing approximately 2 tons of crystal methamphetamine from the vessel Sea Dragon Tarawa in the waters off Tanjung Balai Karimun, Riau Islands, in the early hours of Wednesday, May 21, 2025.

The evidence seized in this operation consisted of approximately 65 to 67 cartons containing packages of crystal methamphetamine, with a total weight of roughly 2 tons.

In addition to the contraband, officers detained six crew members: four Indonesian nationals—Fandi Ramdani, Leo Candra Samosir, Richard Halomoan, and Hasiloan Samosir—and two Thai nationals, Teerapong Lekpraudube and Weerapat Phong Wan.

The second case involved the seizure of 1.9 tons of crystal methamphetamine and ketamine from the Thai-flagged vessel The Aungtoetoe 99 in the waters of the Durian Strait, Karimun Regency, Riau Islands, on May 13, 2025, at approximately 01:00 WIB.

The operation began when officers from Lantamal IV Batam detected and intercepted the vessel during a patrol; the subsequent seizure and confirmation process took place on May 13–14, 2025.

The total evidence amounted to approximately 1.9 tons—or 1,905 kilograms—of narcotics, comprising 705 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine and 1,200 kilograms of cocaine (though some initial reports cited crystal methamphetamine and cocaine/ketamine).

Five crew members were named suspects: four Myanmar nationals serving as crew and one Thai national serving as the captain.

Collaborative investigations with several countries identified the vessel's owner as a Myanmar national named Ko Khao, who was subsequently designated an international fugitive.

These two massive seizures, occurring in close succession and in nearly the same location, demonstrate that the east coast of Sumatra and the Strait of Malacca—specifically the waters of the Riau Islands—are highly vulnerable as smuggling routes for international drug networks targeting both Indonesia and other nations. (*)

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