Bareskrim Polri Uncovers Illegal Onion Smuggling Originating from Malaysia

The Smuggling Task Force of the Directorate of Economic and Special Crimes (Satgas Lundup Dittipideksus) at Bareskrim Polri has uncovered illegal onion imports from Malaysia. The onions were brought into Indonesia via unofficial border routes along the border with Malaysia in West Kalimantan.

said Brig-Gen Ade Safri Simanjuntak, Director of Tipideksus, Bareskrim Polri, in a statement on Friday (22/5).

The disclosure began from information about suspected entry and circulation of illegal imported onions within the country believed to originate from Malaysia. From the information, the task force inspected several locations suspected of being storage and distribution sites. As a result, the task force located and secured illegal onion commodities at two warehouses suspected of entry into Indonesia through unofficial routes without quarantine documents, import documents, or legitimate trade documents.

Based on initial investigations, the suspects are believed to have conducted the activity of distributing illegal onion imports for about one year. The information indicates that every biweekly, the suspects are thought to order about 8 tonnes of onions. Thus, total sales in that period are estimated to reach around 832 tonnes per year, with potential turnover in the tens of billions of rupiah, approximately Rp24.96 billion, he said.

On Thursday (21/5) the Task Force destroyed all illegal onion imports weighing 20,932 kg or 20.9 tonnes with an estimated value of Rp676,729,500. Breakdown: garlic 9,680 kg, bulb onions 7,340 kg, red onions 2,193 kg and shallots 1,719 kg.

From the preliminary investigations, Ade said, the alleged smuggling offences were carried out in a structured and sustained manner. Therefore, he added, investigators are continuing to delve to dismantle the entire distribution network.

“The current status of the case handling is at the investigative stage, meaning a criminal act has been identified in the case. Investigators are currently seeking and gathering evidence (at least two pieces of evidence) to determine suspects in the matter,” he said.