Police Uncover Smuggling of Container with 760 Bottles of Illegal Mercury in North Jakarta

Metro Jaya Police uncovered a smuggling operation involving a shipping container filled with 760 bottles of illegal mercury at Tanjung Priok, North Jakarta. Hundreds of mercury bottles were concealed within carpet rolls to deceive officials.

The Directorate of Special Criminal Investigation of Metro Jaya Police successfully exposed a criminal act of trading or mining minerals and coal at the Customs Inspection Post and Customs and Excise KPU in Tanjung Priok, North Jakarta, on Tuesday (21/4/2026) at 20:00 WIB.

Unit 2 of Subdirectorate 4 for Economic Crimes, along with Tanjung Priok Customs officials, secured a container destined for Takasi Kin Hardware Trading at Room 369, Manila, Philippines. The information stemmed from an initial Customs check revealing discrepancies between export documents and the actual contents of the container.

“The operation uncovered 760 bottles of silver-coloured liquid, labelled ‘Mercury Gold 1 Kg’ on the packaging, stored in cardboard tubes and inserted into 145 carpet rolls. The perpetrators’ method involved hiding them inside the carpet rolls,” stated the Director of Special Criminal Investigation of Metro Jaya Police, Commissioner Victor Dean Mackbon, during a press conference at Metro Jaya Police Headquarters on Wednesday (13/5).

Following investigation, 760 bottles of silver-coloured liquid labelled ‘Mercury Gold 1 Kg’ were found. The bottles belonged to suspect MAL, ordered by foreigner AB residing in Mani Forest, Davao, Philippines.

“Based on developments from the suspect, the mercury was obtained from suspect H, the seller. According to admissions, sales of mercury to the Philippines have occurred since 2021,” he said.

MAL earned revenue of Rp 2.7 million per kilogram for sourcing and shipping the mercury ordered by AB. MAL profited Rp 300,000 per bottle or kilogram.

Suspect H’s role was selling mercury, with costs of Rp 2,100,000, then selling to MAL for Rp 2,400,000.

“The modus operandi involved sourcing and shipping mercury by storing it in cardboard tubes inserted into carpet rolls, then sending it via container to Manila, Philippines,” he explained.

The suspects sold mercury without holding a Special Mining Business Licence (IUPK), transport permits, or sales authorisations. Police examined nine witnesses.

Evidence seized includes 760 bottles of mercury liquid labelled ‘Mercury Gold 1 Kg’ and one carpet roll.

The suspects are charged under Law No. 7 of 2014 on Trade, Law No. 2 of 2025 (Fourth Amendment to Law No. 4 of 2009 on Mineral and Coal Mining) Article 161, and Indonesian Criminal Code Articles 391 and 20.