Metro Jaya Police Investigate Case of Indian National Smuggling 265 Grams of Gold
Tangerang (ANTARA) - Metro Jaya Regional Police are currently investigating the handling of a smuggling case involving 265.7 grams of gold valued at Rp700 million, carried out by a 44-year-old Indian national with initials MTNP through Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Banten.
AKBP Anton Hermawan, Deputy Head of Subdirectorate IV for Narcotics and Smuggling Crimes at the Directorate of Special Criminal Investigation of Metro Jaya Regional Police, stated in Tangerang on Monday that the investigation into this smuggling case is a follow-up to the disclosure by Soekarno-Hatta Airport Customs, which has drawn public attention.
“We are conducting an investigation, and if we find evidence, we will follow up by filing a police report and proceeding to the investigation stage,” he said.
He explained that as an initial step in delving into the case, his team will conduct forensic laboratory examinations and review closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage to uncover facts about the criminal act committed by the alleged perpetrator.
“From our communication with Customs colleagues earlier, we may provide technical assistance regarding forensic examinations, cyber lab checks, and the suspect’s mobile phone, so we can determine the modus operandi and identify their networks,” he revealed.
He also explained that based on examinations of the evidence intended to be smuggled covertly by the alleged perpetrator, the gold is of raw quality. The item is suspected to be reprocessed to become pure gold ready for sale on the market.
“The gold’s quality will be determined after processing to the final stage. So, it still requires two to three more treatments to become gold that is ready for sale or pure,” he stated.
According to Anton, after all evidence examinations are completed, the focus will be on delving into the role of the alleged perpetrator MTNP and tracing the involvement of other parties who provided access and supply of the gold.
“Gold in Indonesia is indeed of better quality. That’s why Indians keep seeking it, right? From before until now, Indians have been repeatedly found in similar cases,” he said.
Hengky Tomuan Parlindungan Aritonang, Head of Soekarno-Hatta Customs, stated that the smuggling attempt was carried out by the alleged perpetrator by hiding the goods in the underwear he was wearing.
“This gold was planned to fly from Soekarno-Hatta Airport to Singapore and then continue to New Delhi, India,” he revealed.
The modus operandi used by this Indian national was uncovered on Friday (8/5) around 3:00 PM WIB at Terminal 3 International Departures of Soekarno-Hatta Airport.
Soekarno-Hatta Customs officers, along with Aviation Security (Avsec) from In Journey Airports, inspected passengers bound for New Delhi, India, via the Jakarta (CGK) – Singapore (SIN) route after becoming suspicious of his body movements.
Then, Hengky continued, the joint team conducted a search and found two packages of evidence in the form of gold granules wrapped in gluten (dough) to disguise their physical form.
“The packages were then hidden inside the underwear worn by the suspect to avoid detection by security personnel in the screening area,” he explained.
For his actions, they are charging him under Article 102A letter a of Law No. 17 of 2006 amending Law No. 10 of 1995 on Customs, with a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment and a fine of up to Rp5 billion.
“We have an integrated surveillance system, trained personnel, and solid inter-agency synergy. We will continue to stand firm in safeguarding the nation’s borders,” he said.