Medan, North Sumatra, Oct. 23 -- Indonesian police have foiled an attempt to smuggle 1.16 tons of ketamine hydrochloride (HCL) aboard the cargo ship MT Global 168 off Tanjung Balai in Asahan District, North Sumatra.

General Suyudi Ario Seto said officers arrested the ship's eight crew members, seven Indonesians and one Taiwanese, in the operation on Wednesday.

"Officers also seized 58 sacks containing a total of 1.16 gross tons of ketamine drugs, communication devices, and the boat itself," Seto said at a press conference in Bandar Deli, Medan, on Friday.

The operation followed a week of surveillance that began October 14, when the vessel was spotted sailing parallel to the waters of Perak on Malaysia's west coast, Seto said.

After sl...