Mystery Thai-Flagged Vessel Seized in Indonesia with $428M Drug Haul
Bangkok, Thailand — A vessel flying the Thai flag has been seized by the Indonesian Navy in a massive drug bust off the coast of Sumatra, with authorities recovering a staggering $428 million worth of methamphetamine and cocaine on board. The incident, which occurred on May 13, has triggered a cross-border investigation and raised questions about the ship’s true origin.
According to a press release issued by the Thailand Maritime Enforcement Command Center (Thai-MECC), the vessel — identified as Aungtoetoe 99 — was captained by a Thai national and crewed by four Myanmar nationals. However, Thai authorities say the ship does not appear in any official vessel registration database, casting doubt on its legitimacy and prompting coordination with international maritime and law enforcement agencies to determine its actual nationality.
The Indonesian Navy intercepted the suspicious fishing vessel in Selat Durian waters near Tanjung Balai Karimun, part of the Riau Islands Province. Navy officials said the ship raised red flags as it carried no fishing equipment or catch, prompting a search that uncovered the illicit cargo.
All five individuals on board have been detained in Batam, and the case has now been transferred to Indonesia’s National Anti-Narcotics Agency. Investigators are working to trace the origins of the narcotics and uncover the broader trafficking network involved.
Under Indonesian law, drug trafficking on this scale is considered a serious criminal offense, punishable by life imprisonment or death by firing squad. The country maintains some of the world’s toughest anti-drug regulations and has repeatedly signaled zero tolerance for international trafficking operations.
The high-profile seizure comes amid growing regional concerns over transnational drug smuggling via maritime routes, with Thai and Indonesian authorities expected to intensify joint efforts in the coming weeks.
