Illegal Mercury Smuggling in North Jakarta Since 2021, State Losses of Rp 30 Billion

The state has suffered losses of approximately Rp 30 billion related to the sale of mercury, stated Dirreskrimsus Polda Metro Jaya Kombes Victor Dean Mackbon during a press conference at Polda Metro Jaya on Wednesday (13/5/2026). “Each shipment averages 2 to 4, depending on the type of business. Since the incidents are not just once, the value reaches Rp 30 billion from 2021 until now,” he said. Ditreskrimsus Polda Metro Jaya successfully uncovered a criminal act of trading or mining minerals and coal at the Bea Cukai Inspection Post and KPU Bea Cukai Tanjung Priok, North Jakarta, on Tuesday (21/4), at 20:00 WIB. Police named two individuals as suspects in this case, namely MAL and H. Unit 2 Subdit 4 Tipidter, along with Tanjung Priok Customs, secured a container destined for Takasi Kin Hardware Trading at Room 369, Manila, Philippines. The information came from initial checks by Customs regarding export documents that did not match the goods in the container. “The activity revealed 760 bottles of silver-coloured liquid labelled ‘Mercury Gold 1 Kg’ on the packaging, stored in cardboard sleeves and inserted into 145 rolls of carpet. So the modus operandi of the perpetrators was to hide it inside rolls of carpet,” he said. After investigation, it was found that the 760 bottles of silver-coloured liquid were labelled ‘Mercury Gold 1 Kg’. The hundreds of bottles belonged to suspect MAL, ordered by AB, a foreign national (WNA) residing in Mani Forest, Davao, Philippines. “Based on developments from the suspect, the mercury was obtained from suspect H as the seller. And from the confession, the sale of mercury sent to the Philippines has been ongoing since 2021,” he said. Then, MAL earned revenue of Rp 2.7 million per kilogram for sourcing and sending the mercury ordered by AB. MAL profited Rp 300,000 per bottle or per kilogram. From suspect H, his role was selling mercury with a capital of Rp 2,100,000. Then, H sold to suspect MAL for Rp 2,400,000. “The modus operandi carried out by the suspects is sourcing and sending mercury by storing it in cardboard sleeves and inserting it into carpet rolls. Then, it is shipped using a container to Manila, Philippines,” he said. The suspects sold mercury not originating from holders of Special Mining Business Licences (IUPK), transport permits, and sales permits. From those statements, police have examined nine witnesses. The evidence seized includes 760 bottles of mercury liquid in ‘Mercury Gold 1 Kg’ labelled packaging, and one roll of carpet. Due to their actions, the suspects are charged under Law No. 7 of 2014 on Trade, then Law No. 2 of 2025 Fourth Amendment to Law No. 4 of 2009 on Mineral and Coal Mining Article 161 as well as Article 391 and Article 20 of the Criminal Code.