Three Chinese WNA who will sail illegally are detained by NTT Immigration

Head of the NTT Directorate General of Immigration Regional Office Arvin Gumilang (ANTARA Doc)

NTT - The East Nusa Tenggara Directorate General of Immigration has successfully secured three foreign nationals (WNA) from China who are suspected of sailing illegally to Australia. The arrest was made on Tablolong Beach, Kupang Regency.

Head of the NTT Immigration Directorate General Office Arvin Gumilang told reporters in Kupang, Sunday, that a number of Chinese nationals were going to buy a boat in Tablolong Village, as their vehicle to Australia.

"The arrest of the three Chinese nationals was carried out after a report was received by Immigration on January 7, 2026, regarding the presence of the three foreign nationals," he said, quoted by ANTARA, January 11.

The three stayed at a hotel in Kupang City while looking for illegal departure access to Australia through an unofficial route.

Following up on this information, officers from the Immigration Enforcement and Internal Compliance Unit of the NTT Immigration Directorate General conducted a closed monitoring of the movement of the three foreign nationals.

While in Kupang City, Immigration officers continued to monitor their movements from the center of Kupang City to the coastal area of Tablolong Beach, which is known to be prone to illegal crossings.

When arrested, the three foreigners were already on board a ship that was suspected of being used to cross.

During the inspection, officers found the three hiding inside the ship without being accompanied by the crew.

"Currently they have been placed at the Kupang Immigration Detention House to undergo further examination. From the initial examination, they admitted that they had the intention to illegally go to Australia," he added.

Arvin added that the failure was a form of the Immigration's commitment to maintaining state sovereignty and preventing Indonesian territory, especially the cities and regencies of Kupang, from being used as a transit route for cross-border crimes, including human trafficking and illegal migration.

The NTT Regional Office of the Directorate General of Immigration also emphasized that it would continue to strengthen immigration supervision, especially in coastal and border areas, through synergy with related law enforcement agencies and the active support of the community.

"Currently, the three Chinese foreign nationals are still undergoing in-depth investigation and administrative examination to determine the next legal steps in accordance with the provisions of laws and regulations in the field of immigration," he added.