Customs Seize Illegal Shipment of Second-hand Clothing Worth Rp 3.9 Billion
Customs, through the ‘Jaring Sriwijaya 2026’ Integrated Sea Patrol task force, has intercepted the KM Bintang Mas 88, which was found carrying illegal cargo consisting of approximately 427 bales of second-hand clothing (ballpress) originating from Malaysia and destined for Tanjung Balai Asahan, North Sumatra.
The Head of the Riau Customs Regional Office, Dwijo Muryorkan, stated in a press conference on Monday (8/6/2026) that the enforcement action, carried out on Wednesday (3/6/2026), was the result of a large-scale strategic collaboration. This joint effort involved the Directorate of Enforcement and Investigation, as well as Customs Regional Offices from Riau, North Sumatra, and the Riau Islands, alongside various patrol units from Tanjung Balai Karimun, Teluk Nibung, and Dumai.
The operation was initiated following intelligence sharing within the Jaring Sriwijaya 2026 Task Force regarding suspected smuggling attempts of second-hand clothing from Malaysia towards the eastern coastal regions of North Sumatra. Following this intelligence, Customs conducted sea patrols starting from 29 May 2026. On Wednesday, 3 June 2026, at approximately 11:00 WIB, officers detected the target vessel traversing the Malacca Strait heading towards the border waters of North Sumatra and Riau. In response, a coordinated interception operation was launched at 11:30 WIB.
After an intensive hot pursuit, the Teluk Nibung Sea Patrol Task Force successfully intercepted and conducted an initial inspection of the KM Bintang Mas 88 in the waters of Panipahan, Rokan Hilir Regency, Riau Province, at 17:00 WIB. The inspection revealed that the vessel was transporting approximately 427 bales of second-hand clothing without valid customs documentation.
By 19:00 WIB, the KM Bintang Mas 88 and its five crew members—including the captain, chief engineer, and crew—were fully detained by the joint task force. Due to heavy sea conditions and a leak in the ship’s hull, officers escorted the vessel to Dumai to secure the evidence.
“Currently, the five crew members have been named suspects by the investigators of the Riau Customs Regional Office in collaboration with the Riau Regional Police. The suspects are being held at the Dumai Class IIB Detention Centre to undergo further legal proceedings,” explained Dwijo.
The total estimated value of the seized commodities and the transport vessel is approximately Rp 3,900,000,000. The case is suspected of violating Article 102 letter a of Law Number 17 of 2006 regarding the Amendment to Law Number 10 of 1995 concerning Customs.
Dwijo noted that the success of this joint operation significantly impacts the disruption of smuggling chains for commodities where imports are prohibited. “This firm action contributes directly to protecting the public from health risks, preventing unfair market competition in the Textile and Textile Products (TPT) sector, and plays a major role in protecting the domestic textile industry,” he concluded.