Metro Jaya Regional Police Uncover Smuggling of 49.85 Tonnes of Illegal Peanuts

The Special Criminal Investigation Directorate of the Metro Jaya Regional Police has uncovered an alleged illegal peanut import case involving 49.85 tonnes, equivalent to 1,536 sacks, which were prepared for trade within the Jakarta jurisdiction and its environs.

The Director of Special Criminal Investigation at Metro Jaya Regional Police, Kombes Pol. Victor Dean Mackbon, stated that the food commodity is suspected to have originated from abroad and was smuggled via land routes after entering through Riau.

“These goods are suspected to originate from overseas, entering through the Dumai region in Riau, and were subsequently transported via land to the Metro Jaya Police jurisdiction,” Victor said in Jakarta on Wednesday.

Victor explained that the enforcement action was taken because the involved parties were unable to produce the official documents required by law, such as Import Approvals (PI), surveyor reports, and quarantine certificates.

In addition to seizing dozens of tonnes of peanuts, investigators also secured supporting evidence, including transaction files, delivery notes, sales records, proof of deposits, and goods storage documents.

The Head of Public Relations for Metro Jaya Regional Police, Kombes Pol. Budi Hermanto, emphasised that the handling of the case is being conducted professionally and is based on factual law enforcement.

“Investigators are still delving into the entire sequence of events and the involvement of related parties. Every development will be communicated proportionally,” said Budi.

The Metro Jaya Regional Police have urged business actors to always comply with existing import regulations and trade procedures.

Police have also requested that members of the public who become aware of indications of smuggling or illegal trade report it immediately through the National Police 110 contact service.