Police prepare official briefing as seized meat faces possible destruction

The investigation into the alleged smuggling of 70 tonnes of illegal frozen meat into Indonesia’s Riau Islands has entered a new phase, with police naming two suspects.

Two Suspects Officially Identified
The Riau Islands Police’s Sub-Directorate for Industry and Trade (Indagsi) under the Special Criminal Investigation Directorate has officially named two suspects in the case.

Head of Indagsi AKBP Paksi Eka Syaputra said the designation followed the completion of expert witness examinations. More than a dozen witnesses have been questioned to determine each party’s role.

Authorities have not yet disclosed the identities of the two suspects. Full details are expected to be announced at an official press conference next week.

Announcement To Be Led By Agriculture Minister
Paksi said the case disclosure is scheduled to be formally announced by Indonesia’s Agriculture Minister.

As a result, police have withheld specific details regarding the suspects’ identities and roles until the official release.

“Next week, it will be formally announced. Please be patient,” he said.

Seized Meat May Be Destroyed
The 70 tonnes of frozen meat remain under strict supervision.

However, investigators are concerned that the meat’s quality may deteriorate due to limited storage life. Authorities are considering destroying the seized goods in accordance with regulations.

“We are worried about declining quality. There is a possibility it will be destroyed,” Paksi said.

Fishing Vessel Modus And Disabled Tracking System
The case was uncovered after a six-day surveillance operation targeting a vessel suspected of carrying illegal cargo.

The arrest took place in the early hours of Jan 23 in Riau Islands waters. The vessel had departed from Singapore and made a stop in Moro, Karimun Regency.

The frozen meat was transported in four containers aboard a ship disguised to resemble a fishing vessel. Investigators found that the vessel’s Automatic Identification System (AIS) had been deliberately switched off while at sea to evade detection.

Two ships — KM Sukses Raya and KM Sukses Abadi 02 — were seized.

Meat Allegedly From Brazil And Other Countries
In addition to frozen meat, authorities also discovered bicycles and dozens of compressed second-hand clothing bales on board.

Preliminary information suggests the frozen beef, chicken and pork originated from Brazil and several other countries, allegedly without proper quarantine documentation or official permits.

The illegal goods were reportedly intended for distribution across parts of Sumatra, with final destinations believed to include Pekanbaru and Jambi.

The naming of two suspects marks a significant step in dismantling what authorities believe is a cross-border meat smuggling network. Investigations are ongoing to trace the supply chain and identify additional parties involved, while officials weigh the decision to destroy the seized cargo due to storage concerns.

Sources: Batampos (2026) , Antara (2026)

Keywords: 70 Ton Frozen Meat Case, Riau Islands Smuggling, Indonesia Illegal Meat Import, Ship AIS Disabled, Cross Border Meat Trafficking