East Java Regional Police Unveils Cases Of Caring For Dozens Of Motor-Cars, Sold To Timor Leste

SURABAYA - The East Java Regional Police have revealed cases of transnational motor vehicle theft (curanmor). More than 80 two-wheeled and four-wheeled vehicles were stolen from East Java to Timor Leste.

"The stolen vehicle was kept tightly in the suspect's warehouse, which is at Jalan Greges Number 61, the Margomulyo Warehouse Complex in Surabaya," said Head of Public Relations of the East Java Regional Police, Kombes Gatot Repli Handoko, during the release of the curanmor case at the East Java Regional Police Headquarters in Surabaya, Wednesday, February 10.

There were five suspects in the case, namely DI, 40, AP, 35, SH, 36, PA, 43, and M, 44. According to Gatot, the perpetrators claimed to have carried out the action for about five years from 2017 to 2021.

"All stolen vehicles, both motorbikes and cars, are exported abroad. There (Timor Leste) already have the containers," said Gatot.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief of Police of East Java, AKBP Nasrun Pasaribu, said the perpetrators had different roles in carrying out their actions. For example, the suspect with the initials DI, initially met an East Timorese named Azito and Guteres.

During the meeting, they began discussing the stolen two-wheeled and four-wheeled vehicles.

Then Azito and Guteres admitted that they could accept a motorbike without documents, aka bulging. Both said, vehicles from DI with only a Vehicle Registration Certificate (STNK) could be sent to Timor Leste.

"The two and four-wheeled vehicles that were stolen were sent up to 25 containers a month," he said.

In order for the action to run smoothly, said Nasrun, they were using the flag of a company with the initials PT. L, by making the Export Declaration Letter (PEB) first. In sending the PEB, it is done online so that it is not easily caught by the Tanjung Perak Customs Office in Surabaya.

"Then Tanjung Perak Customs and Excise issued a Goods Export Notification Note (NPEb) document," he said.

Then, M provides containers and ships from PT. RKN since 2019 for carriers of stolen goods, and a year later, in 2020 using accommodation from PT. KPP.

In making container shipping documents, they cost Rp. 5 million and Rp. 12 million.

"The modus operandi of the suspects was that they purchased a motorized vehicle that was not equipped with a letter or document sent to Timor Leste. After arriving there, a new document was made for the vehicle," said Nasrun.

During the investigation, the five perpetrators claimed to have earned more than Rp. 50 million per month. Apart from arresting the five perpetrators, 76 units of two-wheelers of various brands were also secured, seven units of four-wheeled pickup types of various brands, three dump trucks, five smartphones, two laptops, up to 25 containers.

"As a result of this act, the perpetrators were charged under Article 481 of the Criminal Code, Sub-Article 480 of the Criminal Code, Juncto 55 KUHP, with a maximum imprisonment of seven years," said Nasrun.