Illegal Mercury Smuggling in North Jakarta Uncovered, Costing the State Tens of Billions
Polda Metro Jaya has uncovered a case of smuggling a container laden with 760 bottles or kilograms of illegal mercury at Tanjung Priok, North Jakarta, which was intended for shipment to the Philippines. This smuggling has caused the state losses of tens of billions of rupiah.
The Directorate of Special Criminal Investigation of Polda Metro Jaya successfully exposed the criminal act of trading or mining minerals and coal at the Customs Inspection Post and KPU of Tanjung Priok Customs, North Jakarta, on Tuesday (21/4/2026) at 20:00 WIB.
Unit 2 of Subdit 4 Tipidter, along with Tanjung Priok Customs officials, secured a container destined for Takasi Kin Hardware Trading, located at Room 369, Manila, Philippines. The information was obtained from an initial check by Customs regarding export documents that did not match the type of goods in the container.
“The activity resulted in the discovery of 760 bottles of silver-coloured liquid labelled ‘Mercury Gold 1 Kg’ on the packaging, stored in cardboard sleeves and concealed within 145 rolls of carpet. Thus, the perpetrators’ modus operandi was to hide it inside the carpet rolls,” said Dirreskrimsus Polda Metro Jaya, Kombes Victor Dean Mackbon, during a press conference at Polda Metro Jaya on Wednesday (13/5).
Shipments Since 2021
Following the investigation, 760 bottles of silver-coloured liquid labelled ‘Mercury Gold 1 Kg’ were found. The hundreds of bottles belonged to suspect with initials MAL, ordered by AB, a foreign national residing in Mani Forest, Davao, Philippines.
“Based on developments from the suspect, the mercury was obtained from suspect with initials H, the mercury seller. And from the confession, the mercury sales shipped to the Philippines have been ongoing since 2021,” he said.
MAL then earned a turnover of Rp 2.7 million per kilogram; his role was to source and ship the mercury ordered by AB. MAL profited Rp 300,000 per bottle or per kilogram.
From suspect H, his role was to sell mercury with a capital of Rp 2,100,000. Then, H sold it to suspect MAL for Rp 2,400,000.
“The modus operandi carried out by the suspects was to source and ship mercury by storing it in cardboard sleeves and inserting it into carpet rolls. Then, it was shipped using a container destined for Manila, Philippines,” he said.
Charged Articles
The suspects sold mercury not originating from holders of Special Mining Business Licences (IUPK), transport permits, and sales permits. From the statements, police have examined 9 witnesses.
The seized evidence includes 760 bottles of mercury liquid in packaging labelled ‘Mercury Gold 1 Kg’, 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 Articles 391 and 20 of the Criminal Code.
Value of Losses
He further explained that the value of losses from this crime amounts to tens of billions. Because this illegal shipment did not occur just once.
“The state losses related to this mercury sale are approximately Rp 30 billion,” he said.
“Each shipment averages 2 to 4, depending on the type of business. Since the incident is not just once, the value can reach Rp 30 billion from 2021 until now,” he added.