KUALA LUMPUR: A tanker seized by Indonesian authorities over the suspected smuggling of 1.16 tonnes of ketamine has been traced to a company registered in Malaysia.
Bukit Aman Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said the MT Global 168 was owned by a Johor Baru-based company with two Malaysian directors in their 40s and 50s.
He said both directors had no previous criminal records and would be called in to assist investigations.
"The vessel is registered under a company with two Malaysian directors, both in their 40s and 50s. Neither has any previous criminal record, and we will summon them to assist in our investigations," he told reporters here today.
Hussein said the vessel had previously applied to be registered under the Malaysian flag, but the process had not been completed.
"The tanker is currently sailing under the Mongolian flag," he said.
Earlier, Hussein said Malaysian police would seek further information from the Indonesian National Police (POLRI) following the seizure of 1.16 tonnes of ketamine hydrochloride from the tanker, which had travelled through Malaysian waters.
The vessel was believed to have made unusual movements between Oct 14 and 18 before being intercepted off Tanjung Balai Asahan, Indonesia.
Investigations indicated that it had departed from an anchorage in Pasir Gudang, Johor, stopped at Port Klang to refuel, then headed towards the Andaman Sea.
The crew reportedly switched off the vessel's Automatic Identification System (AIS) for three days to evade detection.
Eight crew members – seven Indonesians and a Chinese national – were detained on Tuesday in connection with the seizure.
Indonesian National Police chief General Suyudi Ario Seto was reported as saying that authorities had been monitoring the vessel since August after receiving intelligence about suspicious activities.
The seizure has prompted further investigations into the vessel's Malaysian ownership and movements before it was intercepted.
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