Batam, Riau Islands (ANTARA) – Indonesia’s Navy said it had seized 42 sacks of illegally mined tin sand worth about 1.3 billion rupiah (US$79,300) that were allegedly destined for Malaysia in the waters off Lingga District, Riau Islands Province.
Rear Admiral Berkat Widjanarko, commander of Naval Regional Command IV, said the seizure of the tin sand, being hidden beneath floating fish cages, followed a joint Navy operation on July 26 after officers received intelligence on suspected smuggling activities in Pekajang waters.
Authorities arrested one suspect and recovered 42 sacks of tin sand concealed beneath floating net cages at a depth of about four to five meters below the sea surface, Berkat told reporters on Monday.
Preliminary findings indicate the tin sand was to be shipped to Malaysia using a ship-to-ship transfer method designed to avoid detection, he said.
Investigators are examining whether a wider smuggling network was involved, including groups suspected of transporting the tin sand from the underwater storage site to vessels waiting offshore.
“We are still investigating whether other individuals or an organized syndicate participated in the shipment process,” Berkat said.
The operation began at about 11:00 a.m. local time on July 26 after a joint task force received reports of suspected illegal activity in Pekajang waters.
Officers searched the area and spotted two speedboats operating near the floating fish cages before questioning the cage owner as part of the investigation.
Initial questioning indicated the site was allegedly being used as a staging point for illegal tin sand transactions.
Navy divers later searched beneath the floating cages and found 42 sacks of tin sand hidden on the seabed below the structure.
Following the discovery, the Navy coordinated with the Dabo Singkep Naval Base and the warship KRI Beladau to secure the area and conduct patrols.
During the operation, officers arrested a suspect identified only by the initials AL, who owns the floating fish cages where the tin sand was hidden.
Authorities also seized an air rifle, an air shotgun and other evidence before taking the suspect and the confiscated items to the Dabo Singkep Naval Base for further investigation.
Laboratory tests conducted by state miner PT Timah in Kundur found the sand contained between 53 percent and 67 percent tin, indicating the material has high commercial value, Berkat said.
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Translator: A.Nadja, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Primayanti
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