Indonesia seizes record meth haul in waters off Riau Islands

Suspects are seen alongside seized crystal methamphetamine during a press conference by Indonesia's National Narcotics Agency officials in Batam, Riau Islands, on May 26, 2025, after they seized two tonnes of the drug hidden aboard a fishing boat following a tip-off from Thai authorities. - AFP

JAKARTA: Indonesian authorities have seized more than two metric tonnes of methamphetamine in a maritime operation described as the largest drug bust in the country's history, officials said on Monday (May 26).

The illicit cargo - concealed in 67 boxes aboard a ship in the waters off Tanjung Balai Karimun, part of the Riau Islands near the busy Malacca Strait - was intercepted following a five-month intelligence-led investigation.