Tons of Illegal Imported Onions and Chillies Thwarted by Police in West Kalimantan
The Directorate of Special Economic Crimes (Dittipideksus) of the National Police Criminal Investigation Agency, through the Task Force for Law Enforcement on Commodity Smuggling, has thwarted the illegal import of chillies and onions. Dozens of tons of these commodities were shipped from several countries in Southeast Asia and Europe.
This revelation follows President Prabowo Subianto’s instructions to prevent the smuggling of illegal imported goods, as stated during a press conference some time ago. In response to the president’s orders, the Task Force for Law Enforcement conducted an investigation in the Pontianak area, West Kalimantan.
A covert operation carried out on Monday, 13 April 2026, at two locations successfully seized 23.1 tons of onions to dried chillies. Meanwhile, the owners of the goods are still being hunted by the police.
23.1 Tons of Onions and Chillies Seized
Dirtipideksus of the National Police Criminal Investigation Agency, Brigadier General Ade Safri Simanjuntak, stated that officers raided two warehouse locations in the Pontianak Selatan area, Pontianak City. The raid took place on Monday (13/4).
“Law enforcement action has been taken against alleged criminal acts of smuggling in the form of illegal importation of food commodities in Pontianak City, West Kalimantan Province,” said Ade Safri in his statement on Tuesday (17/4/2026).
The first location raided was at Jalan Budi Karya Number 5, Pontianak Selatan. There, officers found 10.35 tons of onions consisting of shallots, garlic, and yellow onions.
Meanwhile, at the second location, in the Pontianak Square complex, officers seized 12.79 tons of food commodities. In addition to various types of onions, the police found thousands of kilograms of dried chillies.
“The total illegal imported food commodities found amounted to 23,146 kilograms or 23.146 tons,” Ade Safri explained.
Imported from China-Netherlands
Ade Safri revealed that the commodities originated from various countries. Shallots came from Thailand, garlic and dried chillies from China, and onions from the Netherlands.
Dozens of tons of onions and chillies are suspected to have entered Indonesia through land routes from neighbouring countries.
“The smuggling or illegal importation of these food commodities is suspected to have entered Indonesian territory via Malaysia,” he disclosed.
Owners of Goods Pursued
Currently, the police have set up police lines at both warehouse locations. Ade Safri emphasised that his side is also pursuing the main suppliers of the illegal goods.
“The owners of the shops or goods purchase the illegal imported food commodities from higher-level layers who are currently being hunted for their whereabouts,” Ade Safri stressed.
In this regard, the National Police Criminal Investigation Agency is coordinating with Perum Bulog Pontianak for the safekeeping of the goods in their warehouse. On the other hand, the Task Force is also monitoring three other locations in West Kalimantan that are suspected to be storage sites for similar goods.