Bareskrim Seizes Vessel Linked to Alleged Tin Sand Smuggling to Malaysia

The Directorate of Specific Crimes (Dittipidter) of the National Police’s Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim) has seized a vessel along with its outboard engine, suspected of having been used to transport tin sand from the South Bangka region. The tin sand was then allegedly smuggled illegally to Malaysia.

Director of Specific Crimes at Bareskrim, Brigadier General Irhamni, said the seizure was carried out at the Kubu Dock area in Toboali, South Bangka Regency. The vessel is believed to have served as an initial transport, carrying tin sand from the mainland to a rendezvous point at sea.

“From there, the cargo was transferred to a larger-capacity vessel for shipment to Malaysia,” Irhamni said in a statement on Friday (20 February 2026).

Irhamni explained that the seizure was the result of further investigation into a case involving the smuggling of 7.5 tonnes of tin sand on 13 October 2025.

“This vessel constitutes new evidence arising from the ongoing investigation. Its function was to serve as a transport from land to open sea, after which the cargo was transferred to another vessel bound for Malaysia,” he explained.

In the earlier incident, Irhamni noted, eleven crew members were detained by Malaysian maritime authorities for using an unregistered fibreglass boat without voyage documents or cargo documentation.

The eleven crew members were subsequently repatriated to Indonesia via the Batam Centre International Ferry Terminal in the Riau Islands on Thursday (29 January).

In addition to the vessel and outboard engine, investigators have also secured a number of other pieces of evidence, including 50 kilogrammes of tin sand previously set aside by Malaysian authorities. Nevertheless, the total cargo successfully smuggled in a single shipment amounted to 7.5 tonnes.

“The evidence set aside amounted to 50 kilogrammes, but in a single shipment the quantity reached 7.5 tonnes,” Irhamni disclosed.

Investigators also seized a number of communication devices used by the suspects. The evidence is currently being analysed to trace the network and identify the principal actors believed to be based in the South Bangka Regency area.

The National Police reaffirmed its commitment to thoroughly investigating cross-border illegal tin trading practices and taking firm action against those involved in accordance with prevailing legal provisions.