KM Dolphin Intercepted in the Karimun Sea, Undocumented Wood and Methamphetamine Revealed

KARIMUN - The Indonesian Navy (AL) secured a ship carrying wood without complete documents and narcotics in the waters of Kundur District, Karimun Regency, Riau Islands, last Friday.

The ship with the hull name KM Dolphin GT 22 was secured by the Intermal Koarmada I Task Force Team together with the Quick Response Team of Kodaeral IV Lanal Tanjung Balai Karimun in the Christmas and New Year's holiday security operation.

"The action was carried out in the waters in front of PT Timah, Karimun Regency," he said, quoted from a press statement from the Tanjung Balai Karimun Naval Base, Antara, Sunday, December 28.

The ship was stopped while sailing from Tanjung Batu to Tanjung Balai Karimun. KM Dolphin was headed by Agustiono with four crew members (ABK). The ship is known to belong to Samsul Hadi.

After being secured, the ship and its crew were taken to the Tanjung Balai Karimun Naval Command Headquarters using Patkamla Dolphin for further examination.

The initial examination found a number of violations committed by the Indonesian-flagged ship. One of them is the inconsistency of the crew's documents, especially in the position of the Chief of the Engine Room (KKM) which does not match the data of the owner on board.

For this violation, the KM Dolphin and her crew are suspected of violating Law of the Republic of Indonesia Number 17 of 2008 concerning Shipping Article 117 paragraph (2) in conjunction with Article 302 paragraph (1) with a maximum penalty of three years in prison and a maximum fine of Rp. 400 million.

In addition to the violation of the shipping document, officers also found a pack of canned cigarettes containing one package of methamphetamine weighing 0.8 grams, a number of bong smoking devices, and two plastic packages that were suspected of being used.

Based on the findings of narcotics, the three suspects will be prosecuted in accordance with Law of the Republic of Indonesia Number 35 of 2009 concerning Narcotics.

The Tanjung Balai Karimun Naval Base emphasized that this success was part of the commitment of the Indonesian Navy in maintaining maritime security, enforcing the law, and eradicating the circulation of narcotics in Indonesian waters, especially in the Riau Islands strategic route.