Illegal Import of Onions and Chillies Seized by Bareskrim in West Kalimantan Over 23 Tonnes
The Task Force for Law Enforcement against Smuggling from Bareskrim Polri’s Dittipideksus unit has uncovered illegal importation practices of food commodities in Pontianak, West Kalimantan. In the operation, police seized 23.1 tonnes of onions to dried chillies suspected of entering illegally.
Bareskrim Polri’s Dir Tipideksus Brigadier General Ade Safri Simanjuntak stated that officers raided two warehouse locations in the Pontianak Selatan area of Pontianak City. The raids took place on Monday (13/4).
“Law enforcement actions have been taken against alleged criminal acts of smuggling in the form of illegal importation of food commodities in Pontianak City, West Kalimantan Province,” said Ade Safri in his statement on Tuesday (17/4/2026).
Ade Safri detailed that the first location raided was at Jalan Budi Karya Number 5, Pontianak Selatan. There, officers found 10.35 tonnes of onions consisting of shallots, garlic, and yellow onions.
Meanwhile, at the second location in the Pontianak Square complex, officers seized 12.79 tonnes of food commodities. In addition to various types of onions, police found thousands of kilograms of dried chillies.
“The total illegally imported food commodities found amounted to 23,146 kilograms or 23.146 tonnes,” Ade Safri explained.
Based on clarifications from the warehouse owners, Ade Safri continued, the goods originated from various countries. Shallots came from Thailand, garlic and dried chillies from China, and onions from the Netherlands.
Ade Safri mentioned that the dozens of tonnes of commodities are suspected to have entered Indonesia via land routes from neighbouring countries. “The smuggling or illegal importation of these food commodities is suspected to have entered Indonesian territory through Malaysia,” he revealed.
Currently, police have secured both warehouse locations. Ade Safri emphasised that his side is also hunting down the main suppliers of the illegal goods.
“The shop owners or goods buyers purchased the illegally imported food commodities from higher-level layers who are currently being pursued,” Ade Safri stressed.
In this regard, Bareskrim is coordinating with Perum Bulog Pontianak for the safekeeping of the goods in their warehouse. On the other hand, the Task Force is also monitoring three other locations in West Kalimantan suspected to be storage sites for similar goods.
Follow-up to the President’s Orders
The uncovering of this smuggling case is a follow-up to President Prabowo Subianto’s orders regarding the prevention of smuggling, which harms the state finances. The orders were given by President Prabowo to TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto, National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, and Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa.
“Our work is still heavy, the journey is still long, leaks still occur, smuggling still happens. TNI Commander-Police Chief-Finance Minister, you have institutions tasked with stopping smuggling; use all the authority you have to enforce that,” Prabowo stated in his speech at the Attorney General’s Office on Friday (10/4).
He also urged other institutions at all levels to collaborate, especially in upholding the law.