Navy foils sand smuggling to S'pore<\/p>\n
Fadli, The Jakarta Post, Batam<\/p>\n
The Navy captured over the weekend seven vessels trying to
\nsmuggle thousands of tons of sand from the Riau waters to
\nSingapore.<\/p>\n
Col. Adyaman, chief of the naval base on Batam Island, said
\nthe vessels, several carrying foreign flags, were arrested
\nbecause they failed to show necessary documents for the sand they
\nwere carrying.<\/p>\n
\"We are still questioning the seven vessels' crew members and
\nmaking an inventory of the quantity of sand inside the ships,\" he
\nsaid, citing the case would be investigated thoroughly according
\nto the law.<\/p>\n
It is the first time that the Navy has been able to prevent
\nthe sand smuggling to Singapore, despite the fact that many have
\nknown of the illegal practice for years. The sand smuggling is
\nconsidered a transnational crime since many international
\nsyndicates are allegedly involved. The smuggled sand was supplied
\nto the international syndicates who later sold it to their
\nSingaporean counterparts.<\/p>\n
Singapore has reportedly been receiving sand both from the
\nRiau provincial administration and the black market to carry out
\nits reclamation project along its coastal areas.<\/p>\n
Jakarta has taken over the authority to handle the sand export
\nfrom the province since the provincial administration was either
\nunable or unwilling to curb the sand smuggling which was believed
\nto be backed by the local military.<\/p>\n
Military sources have denied the allegations, but suspicions
\nremains high.<\/p>\n
Adyaman said the naval base deployed two warships -- the KRI
\nAjak and the KRI Surya -- to arrest the seven vessels.<\/p>\n
He said the Prof. Ssgorjunn carrying Russian a flag and
\nKorean flag carrier NV Samsung Apolo were captured in Durian
\nwaters while the TB Olivia was captured in Moro waters on the
\nMalacca Strait.<\/p>\n
He added that the remaining five cargo ships belonged to local
\nbusinessmen and their crew members were also arrested at the
\nnaval base.<\/p>\n
An alliance of nongovernmental organizations has urged the
\ngovernment to halt the sand export which they said was
\ncontributing to environmental destruction and was not benefiting
\nlocals, especially those living in coastal areas.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/navy-foils-sand-smuggling-to-spore-1447893297",
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"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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