Indonesian Navy thwarts bid to smuggle 75.7 tonnes of tin sand worth RM17.27m to Malaysia

Jakarta, August 19 - The Indonesian Navy has successfully thwarted a suspected attempt to smuggle approximately 75.7 tonnes of illegally mined tin sand to Malaysia from the Bangka Belitung Islands, located off the east coast of Sumatra. The total value of the shipment is estimated at Rp76.04 billion (RM17.27 million). Vice Admiral Denih Hendrata, the head of the Indonesian Fleet Command, revealed that the case came to light after naval personnel intercepted a truck carrying around eight tonnes of tin sand at a jetty in East Belitung on August 2, leading to a series of follow-up raids.

During these raids, authorities uncovered a significant haul of tin sand. On August 3, about 50 tonnes were seized in Lenggang village. The next day, another 10 tonnes were found packed in 200 sacks. On August 8, an additional five tonnes were discovered. Admiral Hendrata informed that the operation was expanded beyond these seizures to uncover the entire smuggling network and identify other involved parties.

As of Wednesday, during a live-streamed press conference in Tanjungpandan, Belitung, no suspects had been named yet. He further stated that investigations had since been expanded to five locations, with laboratory tests being conducted to determine the mineral content of the seized tin sand.

When asked about the possibility of this investigation extending to Malaysia, Admiral Hendrata indicated that interstate cooperation would be necessary to trace the smuggling network and identify potential recipients in destination countries.