Seized by Bareskrim: 23 Tonnes of Illegal Imported Onions from China to the Netherlands
Bareskrim Polri has uncovered a suspected smuggling case involving illegal imports of onions and dried chillies in Pontianak, West Kalimantan. The onions and chillies originated from China, Thailand, and the Netherlands.
“Total illegal imported food commodities found amount to 23,146 kg or 23.146 tonnes,” said Dirtipideksus Bareskrim Polri Brigadier General Ade Safri Simanjuntak on Friday (17/4/2026).
The smuggling was thwarted by the Task Force for Law Enforcement (Satgas Gakkum) on Smuggling under the Directorate of Special Economic Crimes (Dittipideksus) Bareskrim Polri on Monday (13/4). The task force searched two warehouses located in Pontianak.
Here is the breakdown of the 23.1 tonnes of onions and chillies seized by Satgas Gakkum on Smuggling Dittipideksus Bareskrim Polri:
Shallots from Thailand: 118 sacks at 18 kg each, total: 2,124 kg (2.1 tonnes),
Garlic from China: 457 sacks at 20 kg each, total: 9,140 kg (9.1 tonnes).
Yellow onions from the Netherlands: 399 sacks at 20 kg each, total: 7,980 kg (7.9 tonnes).
Red berry onions: 188 sacks at 9 kg each, total: 1,692 kg (1.6 tonnes).
Dried chillies from China: 221 sacks at 10 kg each, total: 2,210 kg (2.2 tonnes).
The first warehouse raided is located at Jalan Budi Karya Number 5, Pontianak Selatan. There, officers found 10.35 tonnes of onions consisting of shallots, garlic, and yellow onions.
Meanwhile, at the second location in the Pontianak Square complex, officers seized 12.79 tonnes of food commodities in the form of various types of onions and dried chillies.
Ade Safri stated that the dozens of tonnes of commodities are suspected to have entered Indonesia via land routes from neighbouring countries. Currently, police have secured both warehouse locations with police lines.
“The smuggling or illegal import of these food commodities is suspected to have entered Indonesian territory through Malaysia,” he revealed.
Satgas Gakkum on Smuggling Dittipideksus Bareskrim Polri is currently hunting for the main suppliers of the illegal goods. Bareskrim is coordinating with Perum Bulog Pontianak for storing the goods at their warehouse.
“The owners of shops or goods purchase these illegal imported food commodities from upper-level layers who are currently being pursued,” Ade Safri emphasised.
The task force is also monitoring three other locations in West Kalimantan suspected to be storage sites for similar goods.
Follow-up to the President’s Directive
The uncovering of this smuggling case is a follow-up to President Prabowo Subianto’s directive on preventing smuggling due to its harm to state finances. The directive was given by President Prabowo to TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto, National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, and Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa.
“Our work is still heavy, the journey is still long, leaks are still happening, smuggling is still occurring. TNI Commander-Police Chief-Finance Minister, you have institutions tasked with stopping smuggling; use all the authority you have to enforce that,” Prabowo stated in his speech at the Attorney General’s Office on Friday (10/4).
He also urged other institutions at all levels to collaborate, especially in upholding the law.