Two suspects held and a third hunted after 9.5 tons of tin slag seized at Roro port.
Water and air police in Karimun have intercepted an illegal shipment of tin and tin slag bound for Tanjung Buton in Riau, arresting two suspects and seizing unlicensed mineral cargo hidden on a truck.
Illegal Tin Shipment Intercepted At Roro Port
Karimun Police’s Water and Air Unit (Satpolairud Polres Karimun) stopped the illicit shipment on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, around 10 pm at the Parit Rampak Roro Port in Meral District. Unit Gakkum officers inspected vehicles preparing to cross and discovered a truck carrying tin and tin slag without permits. Kasat Polairud Iptu Judit Dwi Laksono said the case involves illegal transport of minerals and coal products in violation of Indonesia’s mining regulations.
Ore And Slag Hidden Among Other Cargo
Based on a community tip-off about suspicious tin transport, officers checked a truck that appeared to carry mixed loads. Closer inspection revealed six bars of tin weighing about 67 kilograms and 307 sacks of tin slag weighing roughly 9.5 tons. The tin materials had been “camouflaged” among other cargo to avoid drawing attention, Judit said, indicating a deliberate attempt to slip unlicensed minerals through the port.
Suspects Named And Third Man On The Run
Police have named two suspects: MS, 45, and JM, 52, who were detained at the scene along with the truck and cargo. A third man, JF, has been placed on the wanted list (DPO). Preliminary investigations indicate the illegal tin originated from a former processing site in Pangke Barat, Meral Barat District, Karimun Regency, suggesting leftover or previously mined material was being moved without authorisation.
Violations Under Minerba Law And State Losses
The suspects are being investigated under Article 161 of Law No. 3 of 2020 on Mineral and Coal Mining (Minerba) for transporting minerals not sourced from a licensed permit holder. Police estimate the state’s financial loss from the illegal activity at about Rp167 million. Judit said the case illustrates how unlicensed operators attempt to monetise residual ore and slag outside formal channels, depriving the state of royalties and potentially damaging legitimate mining operations.
Commitment To Clamp Down On Illegal Mining
Iptu Judit stressed that Karimun Police remain committed to eradicating illegal activities in the mining sector and will “take firm action against every legal violation related to illegal Minerba.” The two suspects and seized evidence are being held at Karimun Police headquarters as investigators develop the case and trace any wider network behind the shipment. For Indonesians and Singaporeans, especially in nearby maritime regions, the bust highlights ongoing efforts to secure resource supply chains and ensure that valuable minerals like tin move only through licensed, accountable channels.
The interception of 9.5 tons of unlicensed tin slag and bars at Parit Rampak Roro Port underscores both the scale of illegal mineral transport in border regions and the role of water police in enforcing Indonesia’s Minerba law. For Indonesians and Singaporeans, the case is a reminder that strict oversight of mining products at ports is essential to protect state revenue, uphold legal mining operations and deter cross-regional smuggling.
Sources: Batampos (2026) , Antara News (2026)
Keywords: Satpolairud Polres Karimun, Parit Rampak Roro Port, Illegal Tin Transport, Pangke Barat Processing Site, MS And JM Suspects, Minerba Law Article 161
