TNI AL blocks smuggling of 75.7 tons of tin sand to Malaysia
Authorities seized four suspects, one truck and tin worth about Rp76.04 billion as investigators pursue the network’s controller.
A joint TNI Angkatan Laut team thwarted an alleged smuggling attempt involving 75.7 tons of illegal tin sand from East Belitung, Bangka Belitung Islands, that was believed bound for Malaysia. Pangkoarmada RI Denih Hendrata said the operation unfolded in stages since 2 August, starting with the discovery of one truck carrying about eight tons of tin sand at the PT Prima Budiarta Nusa jetty in Lililan village, along with three people who were suspected of trying to move the cargo to a speedboat. Follow-up checks found 50 tons in a warehouse in Lenggang village, 10 tons in 200 sacks in Batu Penyu village, five tons in Tanjungpandan, and 2.7 tons in Dukong village. Kemenko Polkam has asked authorities to trace the source of the goods, the transport network, the intended recipients and the flow of proceeds so the case does not stop at the street-level suspects.