Advanced Mode! Smuggling Of 327 Used IPhones From Batam Foiled, Uses Fake Ojol And Boarding Pass
Batam Customs and Excise thwarted an attempt to smuggle 327 units of iPhone brand phones in various series to be sent from Batam to Jakarta via Hang Nadim Airport.
The smuggling mode used is fairly sophisticated, utilizing fake boarding passes and online motorcycle taxi services.
Head of the Batam Customs Main Service Office Zaky Firmansyah said the smuggling was carried out by three perpetrators and had been named as suspects.
"This smuggling was carried out by prospective passengers on the plane to Jakarta from Batam. We have arrested three people who have been named suspects," Zaky said at a press conference in Batam, Antara, Wednesday, July 16.
A total of 327 iPhones consisting of iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 series were smuggled on Sunday night, July 13, 2025.
The mode is, two prospective passengers check-in with empty suitcases. Meanwhile, another perpetrator who is an online motorcycle taxi driver entered the boarding lounge area using a fake boarding pass while carrying a suitcase containing hundreds of iPhones.
After entering the waiting room, the phones were put into the bags of two passengers who were waiting inside.
"The perpetrators used the last flight to avoid strict surveillance," Zaky said.
Three online motorcycle taxi drivers were involved in this action, but only one was named a suspect, along with two prospective airplane passengers. The rest are still under investigation.
According to Zaky, the perpetrators were paid cheaply, Rp. 50,000' Rp. 60,000 per unit of cellphone for passengers, and Rp. 10,000 per unit for online motorcycle taxis.
The total value of smuggled goods is estimated at Rp1.85 billion, with the potential loss to the state that was saved of Rp406.8 million.
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"We are still developing this case to reveal the real owner of the goods," said Zaky.
Previously, in January 2025, Batam Customs and Excise also thwarted the smuggling of 100 used mobile phones from Batam to Jakarta. The practice of smuggling used mobile phones is still a mode that is often encountered, especially through air lines.