RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesian authorities have successfully evacuated two nationals who were allegedly abducted and abused by a syndicate involved in illegal tin smuggling in Malaysia.

Director of Certain Crimes (Dirtipidter) at the Criminal Investigation Agency of the National Police (Bareskrim Polri), Brig. Gen. Moh. Irhamni,said on Friday, May 22, 2026, that the operation was carried out in coordination with the Indonesian Migrant Worker Protection Agency (BP3MI) in Riau Islands and the Indonesian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur.

“We conducted a rescue operation for our citizens who were held captive along with other Indonesians,” Irhamni stated, as quoted by Antara.

According to him, three individuals were suspected of detaining the victims, all of whom were linked to a network smuggling tin ore from Bangka Island to Malaysia. The two victims had been working to deliver tin ore illegally but were allegedly confined after being accused of fraud.

“The victims had received payment, but the tin ore was never shipped to Malaysia,” Irhamni explained.

The case was reported to Dirtipidter Bareskrim Polri, which then coordinated with BP3MI Riau Islands and the Police Attaché in Malaysia. With assistance from the Royal Malaysia Police, the two victims were evacuated from the site of their captivity.

Irhamni added that the alleged abuse is now under investigation by Malaysian authorities, while Bareskrim Polri continues to probe the smuggling syndicate. He noted that Indonesian police have previously thwarted several smuggling attempts by the same network.

“This is part of a syndicate we have already identified, and we will pursue further investigation and prosecution,” he affirmed. ***