PETALING JAYA: The tanker detained by Indonesian authorities that was used in an attempt to smuggle 1.16 tonnes of ketamine is owned by a Malaysian-registered company.
Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) director Comm Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said the two directors of the company that owns the MT Global 168 are Malaysians.
He said the company's office is located in Johor Baru, Johor.
According to Comm Hussein, the tanker had previously applied for registration under the Malaysian flag but had yet to be registered. It is currently sailing under the Mongolian flag.
"The vessel is registered under the names of two Malaysian directors.
"Neither has a previous criminal record and we will call them in," he told reporters when contacted.
Earlier, Comm Hussein said police would obtain information from their Indonesian counterparts over the seizure of 1.16 tonnes of ketamine hydrochloride (HCl), worth nearly RM60mil, from a tanker.
The vessel made unusual movements between Oct 14 and 18 before it was detained in waters off Tanjung Balai Asahan, Indonesia on Tuesday (Oct 20).
It was believed to have departed from an anchorage in Pasir Gudang, Johor and stopped at Port Klang to refuel before heading towards the Andaman Sea.
To evade the authorities, the vessel's crew allegedly switched off its Automatic Identification System (AIS) for three days.
Eight crew members, comprising seven Indonesians and a Chinese national, were arrested.
Indonesian police chief General Suyudi Ario Seto said authorities had been tracking the vessel's movements since August after receiving intelligence on suspicious activities.
