Polri's Smuggling Enforcement Task Force Busts Illegal Import of Onions and Chillies

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Smuggling Enforcement Task Force (Satgas Gakkum) of the National Police Criminal Investigation Agency has successfully dismantled an illegal import of food commodities consisting of onions and dried chillies in Pontianak, West Kalimantan.

Director of Special Economic Crimes (Dirtipideksus) of the National Police Criminal Investigation Agency, Brigadier General Police Ade Safri Simanjuntak, stated in Jakarta on Friday that the enforcement action took place on Monday (13/4) at two locations in Pontianak.

The first location was Jalan Budi Karya Number 5, Pontianak Selatan, and the second location was Jalan Budi Karya Komplek Pontianak Square Number C-6, Kelurahan Benua Melayu Darat, Pontianak Selatan.

“Food commodities from the illegal import discovered amounted to 23,146 kilograms or 23.146 tonnes,” he said.

He detailed that they found 118 sacks of shallots weighing a total of 2,124 kilograms and 457 sacks of garlic weighing a total of 9,140 kilograms.

Finally, 221 sacks of dried chillies weighing a total of 2,210 kilograms were found.

He revealed that based on clarifications with the owners of the shophouses or warehouses, the shallots were from Thailand, the garlic from China, Bombay onions from the Netherlands, and the dried chillies from China.

“The smuggling or illegal import of these food commodities is suspected to have entered Indonesian territory, namely West Kalimantan Province, via Malaysia,” he said.

In addition, he disclosed that the shop owners purchased or received consignment sales of the illegally imported food commodities from upstream parties who are currently being pursued.

“Currently, there are three locations under surveillance by the team,” he stated.