Bareskrim Arrests 7 Suspects in Illegal Tin Sand Smuggling to Malaysia
Indonesia’s Criminal Investigation Directorate (Bareskrim) of the National Police has arrested a total of seven suspects involved in the illegal smuggling of tin sand from the Bangka Belitung region to Malaysia.
Brigadier General Moh Irhamni, Director of Specific Criminal Acts at Bareskrim Polri, explained that the case began on Monday, 23 February, when Customs and Excise officials received information about a vessel suspected of carrying illegal tin sand destined for Malaysia.
Subsequently, a joint task force intercepted the cargo ship KM Rezeki Laut II on Tuesday, 24 February, discovering a total of 319 sacks of illegally mined tin sand on board.
“The vessel, together with one captain and four crew members, were subsequently handed over to Bareskrim Polri for investigation,” he stated in a written statement on Monday, 2 March.
From further investigation, Irhamni said that detectives then arrested two suspects with initials A and M on Belitung Island. Both are suspected of acting as collectors, processors, and dispatchers of the illegal tin sand.
He noted that the smuggled tin sand originated from illegal mining operations using gravity separation tables, which was then collected, refined, and prepared for export.
Furthermore, he explained that the smuggling operation had been carried out at least four times, with the final destination being a smelter in Malaysia with the initial M.
“In addition, the captain and three crew members of KM Rezeki Laut II have also been designated as suspects, as they have been proven to have transported illegal tin sand without authorisation,” he said.
Irhamni added that from examination of the processing site, detectives discovered several pieces of evidence including gravity separation tables used for tin ore refining.
For his part, Irhamni stated that the exposure of this illegal tin network represents Polri’s support for the Government’s Eight Priority Programmes, particularly regarding prevention of illegal mining, smuggling, and theft of the nation’s natural resources.
He then appealed to the public not to become involved in illegal mining and mineral trading activities. He also called upon residents to immediately report to authorities if they discover illegal mining practices and smuggling of natural resources.
“The Police remain committed to safeguarding the sovereignty of natural resources, strengthening law enforcement, and ensuring Indonesia’s natural wealth is managed legally, sustainably, and provides maximum benefit to the people,” he concluded.