Bengkalis Customs Destroys 19.8 Tons Of Mangga Fruit From Malaysia

Bengkalis Customs and Excise destroyed thousands of kilograms of illegal mangoes by burning and buried behind the Selatpanjang Quarantine Office, Thursday (28/3/2024). (ANTARA/Rahmat Santoso)

PEKANBARU - The Customs and Excise Supervision and Service Office (KPPBC) Type MEDya Customs C Bengkalis, Riau destroyed 19,800 kilograms or 19.8 tons of illegal mangoes originating from Malaysia.

The extermination activity was carried out in the courtyard of the Fish and Riau Plant Quarantine Office, in Selatpanjang, Meranti Islands Regency, Thursday, March 28.

The evidence was destroyed by burying it and then burning it and closing it again.

Head of Bengkalis Customs and Excise, Agoes Widodo, revealed that thousands of kilograms of illegal mangoes that were destroyed were enforcement items carried out by the Bengkalis BC marine team on March 11, 2024, in the waters of Meranti Bunting Village, Merbau District.

"The goods came from Malaysia which was brought through the Batu Pahat door illegally, and transported using a wooden ship or KM Zulfa 03 manned by 4 people. This illegal activity is strongly suspected of violating Article 102 letter a of Law Number 10 of 1995 concerning Customs as amended by Law Number 17 of 2006," said Agoes as quoted by ANTARA.

From the prosecution process, 4 suspects have been determined. Three people were arrested and one other person fled by jumping from the ship and is still in the process of being searched.

"On the field, our team is pursuing the ship and we are squeezing it and leaning on the Meranti Bunting waters pier. But at the same time, one person jumped and disappeared and fled," said Agoes.

After successfully securing the three suspects, the team also confiscated a number of evidences including the KM Zulfa 03 ship and a cargo of 19,800 kilograms of mango fruit.

"With the action that has been taken, we (BC Bengkalis) have succeeded in preventing potential state losses of Rp130,975,000 and also preventing the circulation of illegal goods that are not guaranteed security, benefits and quality," said Agoes.

Terkait beberapa pihak diamankan, saat ini pihak BC Bengkalis belum mengentongi bukti formal yang cukup sehingga belum dapat memastikan siapa yang berstatus kakoda dan ABK. Menurut keterangan dari tersangka, pihaknya baru bisa menduga dan akan melakukan penelusuran lebih lanjut sesuai hukum acara yang berlaku.

"We have summoned the parties from some of the evidence we found. Later, with the existence of the assistance of the Kejari and the Meranti Police Chief, which I have conveyed, we will follow up by looking for suspects (who fled) and we are developed," said Agoes.