Indonesian Navy foils rare earth mineral smuggling in Batam waters

The Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) has foiled the smuggling of strategic raw minerals in the waters off Batam, Riau Islands, after inspecting a vessel suspected of carrying prohibited cargo intended for export. According to a TNI AL press release received in Jakarta on Thursday, the case came to light when KRI Kujang-642, operating under the control of the Fleet Command’s Maritime Security Group, detected suspicious movements by TB Capricorn 106 and TK Capricorn 92.210 on 16 May 2026. TNI AL subsequently carried out an inspection of both vessels through elements of the Indonesian Fleet Command. “Upon inspection, the cargo was found to contain rare earth elements (REE) as well as other hazardous radioactive elements,” the TNI AL press release stated. The Navy’s authority to enforce law at sea is also stipulated in Article 9, paragraph (1), letter b of Law Number 3 of 2025 concerning Amendments to Law Number 34 of 2004 on the Indonesian National Armed Forces. “The law affirms that the Navy is tasked with enforcing the law and maintaining security in maritime areas in accordance with ratified national and international legal provisions,” the press release noted. Following the discovery, the TNI AL confiscated the vessel’s cargo and handed it over to law enforcement officials for further processing. The case demonstrates the readiness of personnel and inter-agency synergy in surveillance and law enforcement within Indonesian waters.