JAKARTA, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- Indonesian authorities have seized 2.6 tonnes of liquid methamphetamine from a Tanzania-flagged vessel in the country's Riau Islands province, police said Wednesday.
The operation was jointly conducted by the Riau Islands police, the National Narcotics Agency and customs authorities following intelligence about a suspected drug shipment from Sarawak, Malaysia.
Authorities intercepted the MV Ocean Porter in waters off Karimun on Monday and initially found 1.6 tonnes of liquid methamphetamine stored in eight drums. Another tonne was later discovered in the vessel's water tank, bringing the total seizure to 2.6 tonnes.
Authorities also found a 40-foot container carrying 157 boxes of cigarettes without Indonesian excise stamps.
The vessel and seized items have been secured for further investigation.
The seizure came after Indonesian authorities confiscated nearly 1.3 tonnes of ketamine from another Tanzania-flagged vessel in the Riau Islands earlier this month. ■