Police Thwart The Smuggling Of Hundreds Of Tin Ore Sacks In Belitung

Evidence of the arrest of the perpetrators of tin ore smuggling at Nyatoh Harbor, Nasik Strait, Belitung. (Between/HO-Humas Polda Babel.)

JAKARTA - A joint team from the Bangka Belitung Islands Regional Police together with the Belitung Resort Police managed to thwart an attempt to smuggle hundreds of sacks of tin ore in Belitung Regency on Sunday morning.

"This smuggling action was revealed at Nyatoh Harbor, Petaling Village, Nasik Strait, Belitung," said Head of Public Relations of the Bangka Belitung Police, Kombes Pol Fauzan Sukmawansyah, in Pangkalpinang on Sunday.

During the operation, the police team secured a number of witnesses and various evidences, including two trucks, one wooden boat, hundreds of sacks of tin ore, two cell phones, and one GPS tool.

"From the results of the initial investigation, the modus operandi used is to send the tin ore outside Belitung Island," he explained.

He said this case was revealed thanks to information obtained by officers regarding the alleged activity of smuggling tin ore from Tanjung Ru Port to Nyatoh Petaling Port.

After receiving this information, the team conducted further investigations and found two trucks suspected of transporting tin ore, which were hidden in the forest area of Petaling Village, Nasik Strait, Belitung.

"We monitored until early morning, and when the two trucks started moving towards Nyatoh Harbor, the team immediately made arrests at the location," he added.

Currently, the police are still waiting for complete data regarding the number of perpetrators and the evidence that has been secured.

"If there are new developments, we will convey further information," he concluded.