Revealed, Even After Exiting Tanjung Priok Port The Container Driver Is Still Being Lagged

JAKARTA - The police have uncovered a case of thuggery and illegal levies (extortion) in the Tanjung Priok Port area. Based on the investigation, this area is controlled by a number of groups. They often commit extortion to container truck drivers.

Metro Jaya Regional Police Chief Inspector General Fadil Imran said the container drivers were not only kept inside the port. But when outside the port the drivers are still being slapped.

"The group that operates within the port service area, both in the port area and outside the port area, is known as a depot or temporary storage area," Fadil told reporters, Thursday, June 17.

In their action, the group asked truck drivers to hand over money at every crossing. The amount starts from Rp. 2 thousand to Rp. 20 thousand.

This group has also been eradicated since President Joko Widodo's order to the National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo. Dozens of members have also been arrested.

"It has been successfully revealed as many as 49 people," said Fadil.

Meanwhile, for other groups, continued Fadil, they played outside the harbor. They withdraw money to the truck drivers with the mode of security money.

"With the modus operandi, it seems as if they are securing, but in fact they are extorting container transport companies from and to Tanjung Priok Port," said Fadil.

In that way, the group can withdraw tens of millions of rupiah. This is because truck drivers are required to deposit Rp. 50,000 to Rp. 100,000 per month.

In fact, if the truck drivers don't want to deposit money, these groups start to spread terror. They will harass the drivers in various ways, one of which is recruiting paid thugs.

"The investigation team found that there was a correlation between the disturbances experienced by the truck driver and the deposit given. That is the correlation between stickers, deposits, extortion and thuggery that occurred," said Fadil.