Metro Police Uncover Mercury Smuggling to the Philippines

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Metro Jaya Police have uncovered a mercury smuggling case to the Philippines by arresting two suspects with initials MAL and H. In the bust, police seized 760 bottles of liquid mercury, each weighing 1 kilogram, hidden inside rolls of carpet in a container destined for Manila, Philippines. Dirreskrimsus of Metro Jaya Police, Kombes Pol Victor Deanmackbon, stated during a press conference at Metro Jaya Police HQ on Wednesday that the uncovering was conducted through cooperation with Tanjung Priok Customs on 21 April 2026. “Regarding the mercury smuggling, we had previously paid attention to the fact that the mercury we uncovered on 21 April is a dangerous chemical element that can certainly damage the environment and also disrupt daily community activities,” Victor said. Victor explained that the uncovering began when customs officers found discrepancies between the export documents and the contents of the container numbered MRSU 7176261, with a capacity of 40 feet, type FCL (Full Container Load). “On Tuesday (21/4) at 20.00 WIB, police officers from Unit 2 Subdit 4 Tipidter Ditreskrimsus Metro Jaya Police, in cooperation with Tanjung Priok Customs, secured the container numbered MRSU 7176261 with a 40-foot capacity, type FCL (Full Container Load),” he said. “The modus operandi of the perpetrators was to hide it inside rolls of carpet,” Victor added. From the investigation results, suspect MAL was known to be tasked with sourcing and sending the mercury ordered by a foreign national with initials AB in the Philippines. Meanwhile, suspect H acted as the mercury supplier. Police also revealed that the mercury shipments had been ongoing since 2021 and are still investigating the possibility of other networks. On the same occasion, Kasubdit IV Tipidter Ditreskrimsus Metro Jaya Police, AKBP Anton Hermawan, said that so far, the destinations found are still directed to the Philippines. “Up to now, our findings are still the Philippines. We will develop it further,” Anton said. According to him, the mercury traded by the suspects is suspected to originate from illegal mines. “And we need to explain that because it is prohibited, the origin of the mercury is certainly from illegal mines. So we can confirm it comes from illegal mines,” he stated. For their actions, the two suspects are charged under Law No. 7 of 2014 on Trade and Law No. 2 of 2025 on Mineral and Coal Mining.