RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesian Navy, specifically the Naval Regional Command (Kodaeral) III, along with a joint inter-agency team, successfully thwarted an attempt to smuggle 122 sacks of illegal tin sand, weighing a total of approximately 6.1 tons. This action was carried out at dock 107, Tanjung Priok Port, North Jakarta, on Friday, 6 March 2026.

The Commander of Kodaeral III, Rear Admiral TNI Uki Prasetia, made the statement during a press conference held at Makodaeral III, on Monday, 9 March 2026. The Commander stated that the success is the result of close synergy of the units at the Indonesian Navy and stakeholders.

The operation began from intelligence information regarding suspicious cargo on board the KMP Sakura Express, which was sailing from Pangkal Balam Port, Bangka Belitung, to Jakarta. The elements of patrol unit of Kodaeral III conducted tight escort from the moment the ship entered the channel until it docked at the pier.

The joint team suspected a truck with the license plate BN 8628 PR, which appeared to be overloaded when exiting the ship's ramp. After a thorough inspection at headquarters of kodaeral III, officers found 122 bags of tin sand neatly hidden among a pile of used cardboard boxes.

"The modus operandi used was to disrupt the operation network on the ship and disguise the cargo." Tin sand was arranged in the middle of a stack of cardboard boxes to deceive the officers in the field," Uki Prasetia stated.

Based on the weighing results, the total evidence reached approximately 6.1 tons. Referring to the export market price on the London Metal Exchange (LME) at USD 51,019 per ton, the potential state loss from this smuggling attempt is estimated to reach IDR 5.2 billion.

Rear Admiral TNI Uki Prasetia emphasized that this action is a concrete implementation of the Asta Cita and the President of the Republic of Indonesia's priority programs to maintain national mining governance. This is also in line with the instructions of the Chief of Naval Staff (Kasal), Admiral TNI Dr. Muhammad Ali, to enhance patrols and law enforcement in the waters under the jurisdiction of the Republic of Indonesia.

"The Indonesian Navy will not give space for illegal practices at sea. We are committed to continuously maintaining maritime sovereignty and security for the sustainability of the nation's economy," the Commander stated.