Indonesian Navy Fails To Smuggle 25 Tons Of Illegal Tin Sand In Pangkalpinang

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Navy through the First Team Quick Response (F1QR) of the Bangka Belitung Navy Base (Lanal) thwarted the smuggling of 25 tons of illegal lead sand suspected of being brought to Malaysia (1/6).

The sand was brought by KM. Indah Jaya GT 34 passes through the shipping lane of Pangkal Balam Port.

Head of the Indonesian Navy Information Service, First Admiral I Made Wira Hady Arsanta Wardhana, when confirmed, said that the smuggling attempt had begun when the Bangka Belitung F1QR team patrolled Pangkalpinang waters to anticipate smuggling.

"Not long after, the F1QR Team identified a suspicious ship that ran aground in the shipping lane of Pangkal Balam Port," Wira said as quoted by ANTARA, Monday, June 2.

Wira said the team immediately went to the location of the ship. At the location of the ship, the team found signs of red on the hull of KM. Indah Jaya GT 24.

When Indonesian Navy personnel tried to approach the ship to get inside, several crew members (ABK) were seen running from inside the ship to the mangrove forest in the coastal area.

"Following up on the suspicious behavior of the crew members, the team immediately checked the ship. Based on the results of the inspection, it was found that there were approximately 25 tons of sacks filled with tin sand in the hold," explained Wira.