Navy foils timber smuggling attempt<\/p>\n
Haidir A. Tanjung and Fadli, The Jakarta Post, Batam\/Pekanbaru<\/p>\n
The Navy in Tanjung Balai Karimun, Riau, have intercepted tandem
\ntugboats attempting to smuggle 84 containers of processed timber
\nworth Rp 85 billion (US$ 9.1 million) to Singapore.<\/p>\n
The vessel was stopped in Riau waters and detained after the
\nboat's captain, Osman Simangunsong, was unable to show the
\nnecessary documents.<\/p>\n
Simangunsong did produce an export document from the customs
\noffice in Pekan Baru, Riau, but it had expired.<\/p>\n
Tanjungbalai Karimun naval base Chief Maj. Purwanto on
\nThursday confirmed the arrest, saying his staff were still
\ninvestigating the origin of the timber and boats' crews.<\/p>\n
\"We're still investigating the businessperson who tried to
\nsmuggle the timber. It is not only the ship's captain (to be
\ninvestigated), but also the owner of the timber.\"<\/p>\n
He said the wood was destined for Shanghai via Singapore.<\/p>\n
Smuggling is rampant in Riau's waters and is mainly because of
\na lack of security personnel and its proximity to other
\ncountries. Smuggling is attractive because of large profits and
\nthe lack of deterrent sentences.<\/p>\n
The Navy also captured five ships and their crews for fishing
\nillegally on the waters.<\/p>\n
Tanjung Balai Karimun legislative council chairman Bakir
\nmeanwhile hailed the Navy's good performance, saying the
\nsmuggling must be investigated thoroughly and the smugglers be
\ntaken to court.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/navy-foils-timber-smuggling-attempt-1447893297",
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