Belitung Police Foil Smuggling of 600 Kilogrammes of Illegal Tin

The Belitung Resort Police, part of the Bangka Belitung Islands Provincial Police, successfully foiled the smuggling of 600 kilogrammes of illegal tin sand destined for Jakarta, using a salted fish shipment as cover.

Belitung Police Chief AKBP Satria Darma stated in Tanjungpandan on Monday that the 600 kilogrammes of tin were to be transported in a box lorry with registration number B 9136 WIB, which lacked official documentation. The lorry was intercepted by officers at the Tanjungpandan port area on Saturday (18/7) at 15.00 WIB.

The tin sand was to be shipped to Jakarta via sea route aboard the KM Sawita. The modus operandi involved disguising the tin sand shipment within ‘Minyakkita’ branded cardboard boxes that contained salted fish, in order to deceive the authorities.

“The method was to disguise this tin sand shipment with Minyakkita boxes, which were then stacked and filled with salted fish inside,” he explained.

Despite the salted fish disguise, the Belitung Police Criminal Investigation Unit successfully uncovered the smuggling method after conducting an inspection. One driver, along with the vehicle and evidence, was immediately detained and taken to the Belitung Police headquarters for further investigation.

“The total evidence of tin sand secured amounts to approximately 600 kilogrammes, equivalent to a value of around Rp90 million,” he said. According to the driver’s confession, he received orders from an individual to ship the tin sand to Jakarta via sea, with the promise of a Rp13 million payment. “As for the other perpetrator, we have issued a wanted list (DPO) letter,” he added.