Seven Chinese and Uzbek Nationals were Arrested by Police in Rote Ndao NTT

KUPANG - The Rote Ndao Police, East Nusa Tenggara Police (NTT) arrested seven foreign nationals (WNA) suspected of being illegal immigrants on the coast of Masidae Beach, Inaoe Village, South Rote District, Rote Ndao Regency.

Kapolres Rote Ndao AKBP Mardiono when contacted from Kupang, Wednesday morning said the seven foreigners from China and Uzbekistan were arrested by the police when the ship they were on was stranded on the Rote Ndao beach on Tuesday.

"We obtained information about their whereabouts from residents of Inaoe Village on Tuesday," said Mardiono, quoted by Antara, Wednesday, February 25.

After receiving a report from residents, police officers from the South Rote Police Station went to the location and found seven foreigners and one unnamed boat.

The seven foreign nationals consist of four Chinese citizens, namely Hui Jie, Jiang Bo, Chen Yong, and Dia Guozhong. Meanwhile, the other three are citizens of Uzbekistan, namely Kasimov, Sultanmoradov, and Shodiev.

"Currently they are at the Rote Ndao Police to undergo further examination," he said.

From the results of the preliminary examination, it was found that a number of Chinese foreign nationals had previously entered Indonesia through Jakarta. From Jakarta they headed to Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi.

They were sent on February 11, 2026 using a ship through an intermediary who was suspected to be an Indonesian citizen.

"They admitted to traveling by sea for about eight days to the Australian border," he said.

However, upon arrival there, they were arrested by Australian authorities and asked to return to Indonesian territory using a speedboat equipped with enough fuel until they were eventually stranded in the waters south of Rote Ndao.

The foreigners also admitted to communicating with the manager through social media and intending to go to Australia to work.

Meanwhile, three foreign nationals from Uzbekistan admitted to paying a fee of 400 US dollars per person to the manager to be sent out.

Currently, the police are still conducting an in-depth investigation into the network involved, including tracing the delivery person who is suspected of fleeing.

"The handling of the case is also coordinated with the immigration agency for further legal processes in accordance with applicable regulations," he said.