KPK Uncovers Safe House Network in Customs Graft Probe

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has exposed the tactics employed by suspects in an alleged import bribery case at the Directorate General of Customs and Excise (DJBC), who utilised multiple residential properties or “safe houses” to conceal transaction trails and store illicit funds.

Asep Guntur Rahayu, Deputy for Prosecution and Execution at the KPK, revealed that the individuals deliberately established more than one storage location to evade law enforcement surveillance.

“The reason they require multiple safe houses is that in their operations they constantly shift locations to avoid easy detection,” said Asep at KPK headquarters in South Jakarta on Friday, 27 February.

To date, investigators from the anti-corruption agency have identified two safe house locations. During a recent raid on a property in Tangerang, the KPK secured Rp5 billion in cash neatly stored within five suitcases.

Asep added that the suspects typically exploited vertical housing units to store evidence of crime.

“These DJBC officials rented several apartments located in Central Jakarta that were used as safe houses. Items acquired through their criminal activities were then stored in these safe houses,” he concluded.

The KPK assured that the search for additional storage locations remains ongoing. This effort is crucial to securing assets allegedly connected to the corruption offences.

In this case, the KPK has designated six individuals as suspects. Additionally, investigators have recently applied coercive measures against a Directorate General of Customs and Excise officer, Budiman Bayu Prasojo (BPP), who has been designated as a suspect in the expanding investigation.