Indonesia arrests 10 Myanmar nationals following liquid meth bust

JAKARTA, Aug 21 (Reuters) - ‌Indonesia has arrested ​10 ​Myanmar nationals in a drug bust involving 2.6 metric tons of liquid methamphetamine found ‌on a ship sailing with a Tanzanian flag, ⁠authorities said at a press conference on Friday.

Below are the ‌details:

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

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

• "This is concrete evidence that narcotics crimes have evolved ​from solid forms into liquid forms to infiltrate the public lifestyle through the use of ​vapes or electronic cigarettes," Seto ‌said. He called for a total ban on vapes.

• The joint operation, which also ⁠involved police and customs, originated in intelligence information analysed by the drug agency starting from December last year, with suspicions ⁠triggered by the vessel frequently changing its identity. They finally ​intercepted it on Monday, August 17, as it was passing through the waters of the Riau Islands in western Indonesia.

• Authorities ‌said the group arrested on Monday has links with previous arrests earlier this month ‌involving a ship carrying 1.3 tons of ketamine, also ⁠in Riau waters. Most ‌of the crew ​members on that vessel were also of Myanmar nationality.

(Reporting by Stefanno Sulaiman; Editing by David ‌Stanway)

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