Bareskrim and Bangka Belitung Police Foil Smuggling of 28 Tonnes of Tin Sand to Malaysia
A joint team from the Directorate of Special Economic Crimes (Tipidter) of the Indonesian National Police’s Criminal Investigation Department (Bareskrim) and the Bangka Belitung Regional Police successfully raided a house used as an illegal tin sand storage warehouse in Gantung Village, East Belitung Regency, on Thursday (13/8) at around 02.00 WIB.
During the operation, officers seized 28 tonnes of tin sand that was planned to be smuggled to Malaysia.
The Head of Public Relations of the Bangka Belitung Police, Commissioner Agus Sugiyarso, confirmed the disclosure of the mineral and coal mining crime case. All evidence has currently been secured at the East Belitung Police headquarters.
“That is correct. There was a disclosure of 28 tonnes of tin sand carried out by a joint team from Tipidter Bareskrim Polri and the Bangka Belitung Police at a house in the Gantung Village area of Belitung Regency on Thursday (13/8) at around 02.00 WIB,” said Agus at the Bangka Belitung Police Headquarters.
In addition to seizing hundreds of sacks of tin sand, the joint team also arrested three suspected perpetrators who played different roles in the smuggling network.
“Three people were detained in this disclosure, with the initials RO, BU and TI. They are currently still undergoing further examination,” he added.
Agus revealed that the modus operandi of this tin sand smuggling was quite sophisticated. The evidence was deliberately packaged in a special way to avoid damage during shipment by sea.
“From the evidence secured, this was indeed tin sand that was being smuggled. Besides being wrapped in sacks, it was also lined with clear plastic so that it would not be exposed to seawater during smuggling,” he continued.
Based on initial examination results, the smuggling of tin sand out of the country from that area was not the first time.
“Based on the information we obtained, smuggling activities have been carried out before. So this is the third attempt that has been successfully foiled by the joint team,” said Agus.
To date, investigators are continuing to deepen the case to uncover a wider network.
Separately, the Director of Tipidter Bareskrim Polri, Brigadier General Irhamni, affirmed law enforcement’s commitment to breaking the chain of natural resource smuggling out of Belitung Island.
“The proceeds of natural resources should be enjoyed for the welfare of the local community, not by financiers or outside parties,” Irhamni stressed.
Irhamni also warned all parties not to engage in these illegal activities, including rogue officials who try to protect the perpetrators.
“We, both from the Police and the TNI, will continue to take action against all unlawful acts, including individuals who back such activities, in accordance with the rules of each institution,” he explained.
He also urged the public to continue carrying out mining activities legally and in accordance with applicable procedures so that they have a positive impact on the region.
“To the public, please work, but not in prohibited areas such as protected forests, watersheds or other restricted areas. Follow the rules and sell your output to PT Timah Persero Tbk or partners with clear legality, not to other places that only harm the region and the state,” he said.