Juanda Customs Office Raid Uncovers Alleged Scheme to Sell Refurbished Phones as New

The Corruption Eradication Corps (Kortastipidkor) of the Indonesian National Police has uncovered new facts in an investigation into the alleged illegal import of used mobile phones. Police suspect a systematic practice in which refurbished handsets from China were brought into Indonesia and marketed to the public as new devices. As part of the ongoing investigation, police are also probing suspected illicit payments to individuals within the Customs and Excise office to facilitate the entry of these goods. The case originated from a previous inquiry by the Directorate of Special Economic Crimes at Bareskrim Polri into the alleged illegal import of mobile phones. Head of Operations for Kortastipidkor, Commissioner Yusuf Afandi, stated that an importing company, identified by the initials PT TSL, is suspected of bringing in the refurbished phones. He explained that the state suffered losses in two ways: through discrepancies between the Harmonised System codes declared on import documents and the actual physical goods, which resulted in unpaid duties, and through the broader economic damage caused by the circulation of refurbished phones sold as new. As part of the investigation, police conducted searches at four locations, including the Juanda Customs and Excise Office in East Java and the residence of a woman named Andayani, who is reportedly an employee there. No suspects have been formally named at this stage of the inquiry.