BTS Module Theft Syndicate Busted: Signal Lost, Billions in Damages, and an International Link to Bangkok
The Criminal Investigation Unit (Satresmob) of the Indonesian National Police (Polri) has uncovered a syndicate responsible for the theft of Base Transceiver Station (BTS) modules. The crime not only caused tens of billions of rupiah in losses to telecommunications providers but also disrupted mobile signals for thousands of customers across Jakarta, Banten, and West Java.
“Due to the actions of this syndicate, the material losses suffered by the telecommunications operator are estimated to have reached IDR 60 billion,” said a spokesperson for Bareskrim Polri on Friday. Police seized 38 BTS modules of various types, along with mobile phones, suspect identification, and operational vehicles.
The spokesperson added that the immaterial losses to the public were far greater, as the loss of these vital components directly paralysed communication networks, disrupting business activities and daily life.
The case came to light after a cellular and internet network provider reported repeated thefts of BTS modules. Through CCTV analysis and field tracking, police identified the perpetrators, who disguised themselves as official technicians. Using a silver Toyota Avanza, they dismantled the BTS module boxes without arousing the suspicion of local residents. The suspects possessed technical skills, having previously worked in the telecommunications network sector, and conspired with active employees.
Several suspects have been arrested, including AN and ASA, who acted as the executors of the theft. Another suspect, RR, a former installation technician, was responsible for break-ins in the Kalisari area, East Jakarta. GA acted as the collector and fence for the stolen goods. The suspects are being charged under multiple articles, including Article 477 of the Criminal Code (KUHP) on aggravated theft and Article 591 on fencing.
Based on a police report from Taktakan Sector Police, a joint team also swept the jurisdiction of the Serang City Police Resort in Banten. There, officers identified thefts at five different locations carried out by active vendor employees using a Daihatsu Sigra. The perpetrators stole 15 BTS modules and sold them to a local fence identified by the initials IG, also known as Kinoy, in Lebak Regency, Banten. IG and three other individuals in Jakarta have been placed on the wanted list (DPO).
A deeper examination of suspect Adhia revealed 11 suspicious banking transactions involving tens of millions of rupiah flowing to a suspect named Ryan. Bareskrim Polri has emphasised its commitment to hunting down the remaining fugitives, pursuing local fences in the Karawang and Lebak areas, and tracing the international distribution route to sever the black-market chain of state infrastructure theft.
Police revealed that the syndicate is controlled by foreign nationals from abroad, with the stolen BTS modules being shipped overseas. “This syndicate is controlled by an international network. The stolen BTS modules were collected by a fence and then shipped abroad via expedition services under the direction of a foreign national, Jason Zhang, who is believed to be in Bangkok, Thailand,” the spokesperson stated.