Police seize smuggled logs

CIREBON, West Java: Cirebon Police in cooperation with a team from National Police Headquarters have arrested six ships in Cirebon port loaded with 3,700 cubic meters of smuggled logs worth Rp 1.5 billion.

Cirebon Police chief, Adj. Comr. Siswandi confirmed the arrest of the vessels on Wednesday, saying that it was part of a police operation to crack down on smuggled logs transiting the port.

He said the six vessels, which had illicitly transported the logs from Sampit port in West Kalimantan, were the KLM Patra Niaga with 800 cubic meters of logs, KLM Sarana Bahari with 400 cubic meters of logs, KLM Berkat Safinatussalam with 700 cubic meters of logs, KLM Dasar Perdana with 700 cubic meters of logs, KLM Mitra Setia with 500 cubic meters of logs, and another unidentified ship with 600 cubic meters of logs.

"All of the ships are still under arrest in Cirebon Port and are under the supervision of the police," he said.

He added that the police were questioning a number of suspects, including the Sarana Baharai's captain, Batu, 47, crew members and a number of port officials. --JP