Swift joint operation between Kodaeral IV Batam and Customs Kepri stops illegal export worth Rp5.2 billion.
In a decisive joint maritime operation, Indonesia’s Naval Regional Command IV (Kodaeral IV) and the Directorate General of Customs and Excise (DJBC) Kepri thwarted an illegal attempt to smuggle 25.9 tons of tin sand valued at Rp5.2 billion (around SGD 416,000) in the waters near Pulau Pengibu, Riau Islands.
Coordinated Maritime Operation
The operation began after intelligence teams from Kodaeral IV and Customs Kepri received reports about a wooden vessel suspected of carrying illegal goods beyond Indonesian waters. Acting swiftly, the joint patrol task force intercepted the vessel KM Al Husna 07 on Thursday, October 2, 2025, near Pulau Pengibu, an area often used as a route for illegal trade.
Upon inspection, officers discovered 518 white sacks filled with tin sand weighing approximately 25.9 tons, originating from Belitung, Bangka Belitung Province. The tin was reportedly en route to Kuantan, Malaysia, when authorities moved in to seize it.
Arrests and Legal Consequences
Two Indonesian nationals, identified as S and M, both residents of Karimun, were arrested on the spot. The suspects served as the vessel’s captain and chief engineer. The seized cargo and vessel were taken into custody for further investigation.
According to Adhang Noegroho Adhi, Head of the Kepri Regional Customs Office, both men are accused of violating Article 102A (a) of Law No. 17 of 2006 on Customs, which prohibits the export of goods without customs declaration. The violation carries penalties of one to ten years in prison and fines between Rp50 million and Rp5 billion.
Significant Economic and Environmental Stakes
The confiscated tin sand, estimated at Rp5.2 billion, represents not only a financial loss for smugglers but also a potential environmental hazard had it been illegally mined and exported. Authorities stressed that such operations often involve unregulated extraction, leading to environmental degradation in tin-producing regions like Belitung.
Adhang highlighted that the Customs office has already conducted four interdictions in 2025 alone, seizing nearly 120 tons of illegal tin sand valued at more than Rp24 billion.
Strengthening Interagency Collaboration
Commander of Kodaeral IV Batam, Rear Admiral (Laksda) TNI Berkat Widjanarko, S.E., M.Tr.Opsla, praised the operation as proof of strong coordination between maritime enforcement agencies. “This success reflects the solid synergy between Kodaeral IV and Customs in safeguarding Indonesia’s maritime sovereignty and natural wealth,” he stated during a press briefing on October 9, 2025.
He reaffirmed Kodaeral IV’s ongoing commitment to supporting every law enforcement mission at sea, ensuring tighter surveillance across strategic national waters.
Broader Regional Implications
This joint success not only curbs illegal trade threatening Indonesia’s natural resources but also reinforces maritime stability in the Malacca Strait region, a vital trade corridor linking Indonesia, Singapore, and Malaysia. The crackdown serves as a reminder of Indonesia’s growing capacity to safeguard its maritime borders through cooperation and intelligence-led operations.
The foiled smuggling attempt underscores Indonesia’s resolve to protect its maritime resources and enforce strict trade compliance. For neighboring nations like Singapore and Malaysia, this signals a stronger regional stance against illicit cross-border trade, fortifying the security and sustainability of Southeast Asia’s strategic waters.
Sources: ANTARA News Kepri (2025) , MataKepri (2025) , Gokepri (2025)
Keywords: Tin Smuggling, Riau Islands, Kodaeral IV Batam, DJBC Kepri, Illegal Export, Pulau Pengibu
