Indonesian Navy Foils 1.4-tonne Cyanide Smuggling from the Philippines

Jakarta, VIVA – The Indonesian Navy (TNI Angkatan Laut) has foiled the smuggling of 1.4 tonnes of cyanide from the Philippines to Indonesia via the ASDP Bitung Ferry Port in North Sulawesi.

The smuggling was uncovered by Quick Response Team 8 of the Patrol Unit Kodaeral VIII together with Intelmar Kerapu-8.26 Task Force and North Sulawesi Customs at Wednesday, 4 March 2026.

Deputy Commander of Kodaeral VIII, First Admiral TNI Tony Herdijanto, said the incident began when officers inspected a green expedition truck that had disembarked from the Labuhan Haji Passenger Ferry (KMP Labuhan Haji) on the Talaud–Bitung route while it was docked at Bitung Ferry Port.

‘During the inspection of a green expedition truck, the officers found cargo of hazardous chemical cyanide packed in 29 sacks,’ Tony said in a statement on Saturday, 7 March 2026.

He said the find was highly suspicious because sending cyanide requires special handling and transport. It should be transported using a dedicated vessel.

‘The cargo also lacked official documents, posing risks to navigational safety and to the passengers,’ he added.

From inspection of the 29 sacks, Tony continued, each sack weighed about 50 kilograms, bringing the total to around 1,450 kilograms or 1.4 tonnes.

‘Based on initial information, the illegal goods are suspected to have originated from the Philippines and entered via Melonguane, Talaud Islands Regency, before being smuggled towards Bitung by a freight truck that boarded the passenger ferry,’ he explained.

The cyanide was seized at the Kodaeral VIII headquarters for further legal action.

Tony emphasised that the arrest demonstrates the Indonesian Navy’s strong commitment to safeguarding Indonesia’s sea areas from various illicit goods smuggling activities. (Ant)