Indonesian Navy Warship Thwarts Granite Theft Operation in Kepri Waters
VIVA – The Republic of Indonesia Warship (KRI) Alamang-644, attached to the BKO Guskamla unit of Koarmada I during Operation Cakra Wira-26, foiled an attempt to steal granite in the waters of Selat Gelam, Karimun, Riau Islands.
Commander of KRI Alamang-644, Lieutenant Colonel (N) Rudi Sulistiyanto, stated that the enforcement began when his vessel identified the Indonesian-flagged vessel TB SOL 1006, carrying granite from Tanjung Balai Karimun to Singapore, on the night of Thursday, 2 April 2026.
“At 19:30 WIB, KRI Alamang-644 received radio information about a suspicious vessel attached to the barge TK BAC 2302, which was being towed by TB SOL 1006,” Rudi said in his statement in Tanjungpinang on Sunday.
According to the commander, the vessel was suspected of stealing granite cargo at sea at the reported coordinates.
Following up on the information, KRI Alamang-644 immediately proceeded to the location for inspection and arrived around 19:50 WIB. The warship then conducted a visual identification and discovered a small vessel on the port side of the barge TK BAC 2302.
Subsequently, a pursuit, capture, and investigation were carried out on the suspected vessel.
At 20:20 WIB, the team successfully secured the vessel and conducted further examinations.
“The inspection revealed that the vessel was KM Melina, loaded with granite, without official documents, and evidence was found on board,” he said.
Rudi added that the vessel, crewed by five people, was strongly suspected of stealing approximately 15 tons of granite cargo from the targeted barge.
KM Melina and all its crew have been secured at the Tanjung Balai Karimun Naval Base (Lanal) for further investigation.
Commander of Koarmada RI, Vice Admiral TNI Denih Hendrata, in his statement, emphasised the strong commitment of the Indonesian Navy in safeguarding the security and sovereignty of Indonesia’s maritime areas.
He also added that routine patrols will continue to be intensified as both preventive and repressive measures to maintain maritime security stability.