5 Facts: Bareskrim Uncovers Smuggling of 23 Tonnes of Onions to Chillies
Bareskrim Polri has uncovered a case of alleged smuggling of goods from abroad. This time, Dittipideksus Bareskrim Polri thwarted the smuggling of onions and chillies.
The case came to light when the Satgas Penegakan Hukum (Gakkum) Penyelundupan Tipideksus Bareskrim Polri conducted a search. Here is a summary of the facts.
- Smuggling in Pontianak
The search was carried out by the Gakkum Penyelundupan Tipideksus Bareskrim Polri team at two locations in Pontianak City, West Kalimantan.
The first raid took place at Jalan Budi Karya, Pontianak Selatan District, Pontianak City. Police lines were set up around racks storing various types of onions in the warehouse.
The second raid was conducted at Jalan Budi Karya, Pontianak Square Complex, Benuamelayu Ward, Pontianak Selatan District, Pontianak City. At the second location, sacks containing Bombay onions, garlic, and shallots were seen being seized by the Gakkum Penyelundupan Tipideksus Bareskrim Polri team.
- Over 23 Tonnes Seized
The Gakkum Penyelundupan Tipideksus Bareskrim Polri team seized 23.1 tonnes of onions and dried chillies suspected to have entered illegally.
Dirtipideksus Bareskrim Polri Brigjen Ade Safri Simanjuntak detailed that the first raided location was at Jalan Budi Karya Number 5, Pontianak Selatan. There, officers found 10.35 tonnes of onions consisting of shallots, garlic, and yellow Bombay onions.
Meanwhile, at the second location in the Pontianak Square complex, officers seized 12.79 tonnes of food commodities. In addition to various types of onions, police found thousands of kilograms of dried chillies.
“The total illegally imported food commodities found amounted to 23,146 kilograms or 23.146 tonnes,” said Ade Safri.
- Originating from China to the Netherlands
Bareskrim Polri uncovered a case of alleged smuggling of illegally imported onions and dried chillies in Pontianak City, West Kalimantan. The onions and chillies originated from China, Thailand, to the Netherlands.
Ade Safri stated that dozens of tonnes of these commodities are suspected to have entered Indonesia via land routes from neighbouring countries. Currently, police have set up lines at both warehouse locations.
“The smuggling or illegal import of these food commodities is suspected to have entered Indonesian territory via Malaysia,” he revealed.
Here is the breakdown of the smuggled onions and chillies and their countries of origin:
Shallots from Thailand: 118 sacks @ 18 kg, total: 2,124 kg (2.1 tonnes),
Garlic from China: 457 sacks @ 20 kg, total: 9,140 kg (9.1 tonnes).
Yellow Bombay onions from the Netherlands: 399 sacks @ 20 kg, total: 7,980 kg (7.9 tonnes).
Red Berry Bombay onions from India: 188 sacks @ 9 kg, total: 1,692 kg (1.6 tonnes).
Dried chillies from China: 221 sacks @ 10 kg, total: 2,210 kg (2.2 tonnes).
- Suppliers Being Hunted
The task force is now hunting down the major suppliers behind the network. Based on clarifications from the warehouse owners, the illegal goods were obtained by the owners from other parties.
“The shop or goods owners purchased the illegally imported food commodities from higher-level layers who are currently being sought,” said Ade Safri.
He stated that his side is also monitoring other points suspected to be dens for storing illegal commodities in West Kalimantan.
“The team is identifying other warehouses or storage places for illegally imported food commodities. Currently, there are three locations under team surveillance,” Ade Safri emphasised.
- Follow-up to President’s Directive
The uncovering of this smuggling case is a follow-up to President Prabowo Subianto’s directive on preventing smuggling because it harms the state finances. The directive was given by President Prabowo to TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto, National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, and Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa.
“Our work is still heavy, the journey is still long, leaks still occur, smuggling still happens. TNI Commander-Police Chief-Finance Minister, you have institutions tasked with stopping smuggling; use all the authority you have to enforce that,” Prabowo said in his speech at the Attorney General’s Office on Friday (10/4).
He also urged other institutions at all levels to collaborate, especially in enforcing the law.