Indonesian Navy Foils Two Tin Sand Smuggling Attempts in a Month

The Indonesian Navy, through its Regional Maritime Command (Kodaeral) III, has foiled two attempts to smuggle tin sand from Bangka Belitung to North Jakarta during July 2026. Commander of Kodaeral III, Rear Admiral Uki Prasetia, stated during a press conference at the Kodaeral III headquarters in North Jakarta on Wednesday that both smuggling cases employed the same method. The first seizure occurred on Saturday, 4 July. It began with information received by the Navy regarding the shipment of tin sand using a truck loaded onto a roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) vessel. Based on this intelligence, a team was immediately stationed at Sunda Kelapa Port in North Jakarta to await the truck’s arrival. Once the vessel docked, the joint team successfully secured the truck in the port area. Uki noted that the driver was not found, as the shipment used a ‘leave the key’ system, where the driver abandons the truck with its keys inside the vessel for another driver to collect upon arrival in Jakarta. Upon searching the truck, officers discovered 173 sacks of illegal tin sand weighing an estimated six tonnes, with an estimated economic value of Rp21 billion. The second interception occurred on Saturday, 18 July. The smuggling attempt used the same method, with the destination being Tanjung Priok Port in North Jakarta. Navy personnel secured the truck and brought it to the Kodaeral III headquarters, where a search revealed another substantial quantity of tin sand. Combined with the previous seizure, the total confiscated tin sand weighed 10,523 kilogrammes, or an estimated 10 tonnes. Authorities are still working to identify the parties responsible for the illegal shipments. The Navy will also collaborate with other law enforcement agencies to investigate the case. Uki emphasised that these operations demonstrate the Navy’s seriousness in eradicating the smuggling of illegal goods, particularly the nation’s natural resources. The Navy affirmed it will continue to strengthen maritime surveillance to prevent smuggling practices from both within and outside Indonesia.