The Directorate of Specific Crimes of the Indonesian National Police\n(Bareskrim Polri), together with the Directorate General of Customs and\nExcise of the Ministry of Finance, has uncovered an illegal mining and\ntin sand smuggling operation from the Bangka Belitung islands to\nMalaysia. Seven individuals have been designated as suspects.<\/p>\n
The case began when Customs officials received information about a\nvessel suspected of carrying illegal tin sand for smuggling to Malaysia\non Monday, 23 February 2026. One day after receiving the information,\nofficials seized the vessel KM Rezeki Laut II carrying 319 sacks of tin\nsand without proper documentation.<\/p>\n
On board the vessel were one captain and four crew members, who were\nhanded over to Bareskrim Polri for further investigation and\nprosecution.<\/p>\n
From investigative developments, police apprehended two suspects with\ninitials A and M on Belitung island. Both are suspected of acting as\ncollectors, processors, and distributors of illegal tin sand. All seven\nhave now been designated as suspects.<\/p>\n
From the investigation results, the tin sand originated from illegal\nmining using shaking tables, and was then collected, refined, and\nprepared for export. The perpetrators had smuggled tin sand to Malaysia\nfour times, with the final destination being a smelter in Malaysia with\nthe initial M.<\/p>\n
Investigators then confiscated the shaking tables used to refine tin\nore and other evidence. In addition, police cordoned off the illegal tin\nsand processing site in Kelapa Kampit, East Belitung regency.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur purpose and visit here is to develop the case of smuggling and\nillegal mining of tin sand. This location is the processing facility\nconducting smuggling that we caught yesterday together with our Customs\ncolleagues,\u201d said the Director of Specific Crimes of Bareskrim Polri,\nBrigadier General Irhamni, speaking to journalists on Sunday, 1 March\n2026.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis shaking table was used to refine tin ore. This is their source\nfor smuggling tin to Malaysia,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Police also conducted crime scene investigation and took coordinate\nreadings at various shipping routes, including coastal areas and ports,\nto strengthen evidence. Regarding suspect statements concerning alleged\ninvolvement of defence force personnel, Polri emphasised that the case\nis being handled professionally, transparently, and fairly.<\/p>\n
Bareskrim Polri\u2019s Directorate of Specific Crimes has and will\ncontinue to coordinate with the Naval Military Police (POM AL) for\nfurther investigation. The director stated that if defence personnel\ninvolvement is found during the investigation, it will be processed\naccording to legal mechanisms and respective institutional\nauthorities.<\/p>\n
All suspects have been charged under Article 161 of Law Number 3 of\n2020 concerning Mineral and Coal Mining (Minerba). Irhamni emphasised\nthat investigators will continue to pursue financial backers and other\nnetworks involved.<\/p>\n
This disclosure is a concrete demonstration of Polri\u2019s support for\nthe Government\u2019s commitment under the Asta Cita Programme, particularly\nin preventing illegal mining, smuggling, and theft of national natural\nresources. Polri is committed to continuing to protect sovereignty over\nnatural resources, strengthen law enforcement, and ensure that\nIndonesia\u2019s natural wealth is managed legally, sustainably, and provides\nmaximum benefit to society.<\/p>\n
Polri urges the public not to become involved in illegal mining and\nmineral trading activities, and to immediately report to law enforcement\nauthorities if they are aware of illegal mining and natural resource\nsmuggling practices.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/criminal-investigation-directorate-arrests-seven-suspects-in-illegal-tin-mining-operation-in-bangka-belitung-1772384014", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }