Indonesian Navy Seizes 25 Tons of Illegal Tin

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) has intercepted a major smuggling operation in the eastern waters of the Bangka Strait, seizing 25 tons of illegal tin ore bound for Malaysia. The crackdown dealt a significant blow to the illicit trade of Indonesia’s mineral resources.

The raid took place on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, when the naval vessel KRI Todak-631, a fast patrol ship operated by the Indonesian Navy, detected a suspicious fishing boat during routine operations under the Maritime Security Task Force (Guskamla I). Upon inspection, officers discovered 500 sacks of tin ore hidden on board.

The navy immediately detained the vessel along with its four crew members. The operation was a coordinated effort involving multiple units, including the Tri Cakti Field Unit (Satlap Tri Cakti), a specialized naval task force for integrated maritime patrols, and the RBB TNI AL (Naval Sea Patrol Unit), which provides rapid-response support for maritime law enforcement.

The raid also involved the Sintelal Task Force, Pangkal Pinang Customs, and the Regional Intelligence Agency (Binda).

This enforcement action followed a directive from President Prabowo Subianto, who has ordered the military and police to take firm measures against the smuggling of Indonesia’s natural resources.

“There’s too much smuggling. We’ve deployed the Indonesian Army (TNI) and the Indonesian National Police (Polri), but they still refuse to respect Indonesian law. We must remain determined to resolve this problem,” the President previously stated.

The Indonesian Navy’s Information Agency (Dispenal) reaffirmed its commitment to maritime security. “The Indonesian Navy demonstrated its commitment to safeguarding maritime sovereignty by thwarting illegal tin ore smuggling,” the department said on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.

As a follow-up, the Navy is intensifying patrols in high-risk zones and strengthening maritime surveillance to prevent further violations. The seized evidence and suspects are undergoing legal processing in accordance with Indonesian law, serving as a warning to syndicates attempting to exploit the country’s mineral reserves. (Naura Sofia/Lasti Martina)