Bareskrim Polri uncovers illegal gold smuggling disguised as gel

The Directorate of Special Economic Crimes (Dittipidter) of Bareskrim Polri has uncovered a suspected illegal gold smuggling case in which gold was melted into powder and converted into gel to deceive airport officers.

The modus operandi came to light after investigators raided a house and the White Classic Gold & Silver gold shop in the Sunter area of North Jakarta on Monday (17/8), as part of the development of a case involving illegal gold smuggling to Dubai by Indian nationals.

Director of Special Economic Crimes (Dirtipidter) of Bareskrim Polri Brigadier General Moh. Irhamni, in a video statement received in Jakarta on Tuesday, explained that the perpetrators used a device to melt gold bars into powder.

The powder was then treated with chemicals and dye so that it turned into a gel. The perpetrators then inserted the gel containing gold powder into specially modified underwear.

By converting the gold into gel, it would not be detected as metal by airport x-ray machines. Moreover, when touched, it felt like ordinary, pliable skin.

“It was inserted into men’s underpants and women’s bras. To avoid inspection at Soekarno-Hatta Airport,” he said.

During the search, investigators seized a number of items of evidence, including a one-kilogram gold bar, a sewing machine used to modify underwear, chemicals, a blender for melting gold, and several bank account books.

Irhamni revealed that, based on statements from local residents, the syndicate had been operating for eight months. The White Classic gold shop is strongly suspected of being owned by an Indian national involved in illegal gold transactions.

“We are cooperating with Immigration, and of course later with our colleagues at Soekarno-Hatta Airport, Customs and Excise, and also with PPATK to trace all the flows of these financial transactions,” he said.

Previously, Dittipidter Bareskrim Polri detained two Indian nationals in connection with the suspected illegal gold smuggling to Dubai.

The suspected syndicate had been operating for approximately two months and produced around 30 kilograms per day. The processed gold was to be smuggled to Dubai.