Indonesian police are holding a Malaysian vessel the ‘KM Fungka Sejahtera’after customs boats seized the vessel, loaded with 3,000 bags of ammonium nitrate, a chemical used in the production of bombs.

According to the Antara News Agency, Indonesian customs patrol boats ‘BC-2003’ and ‘BC-8005’ stopped the ‘KM Fungka Sejahtera’ about 48km from Mapor Island last Wednesday (November 18).

Investigations revealed the vessel came from Pasir Gudang Port in Johor, Malaysia, and was headed for Selayar, south Sulawesi, with the chemicals camouflaged in fertiliser bags.

The master of the vessel, identified only as a certain NH, was the suspect after police questioning all 16 crew of the vessel.  

"We netted him with Article 102 of Law Number 17 of 2006 on Amendment of Law Number 10 of 1995 on customs affairs because the goods are not covered with valid documents," head of the regional special customs, Nasar Salim told Antara. Investigations also centred on uncovering the possible indictment of the ship’s owner or even of a network in the smuggling.

Jaya Prakash