25 Cyanide Cans And 320 Carbon Sacks Smuggled Into Maluku Successfully Foiled By Police

A number of chemicals were thwarted by the Buru Police, in Buru, Maluku, Wednesday (20/11/2024). ANTARA/Winda Herman

The Buru Police thwarted the smuggling of cyanide (CN) and carbon chemicals in Sanleko Village, Namlea District, Buru Regency, Maluku.

"This 'toxic and dangerous land (B3) was smuggled by sea using a fast boat," said Head of Public Relations of the Maluku Police, Kombes Areis Aminulla, in Ambon, Antara, Wednesday, November 20.

The B3 evidence that was secured was 25 cans of cyanide and 320 sacks of carbon. The materials are thought to be used in illegal gold mining in the Mount Botak area, Buru Regency.

"In addition to the evidence, the opsnal team also secured nine suspected smugglers," he said.

The B3 smuggling was revealed after the Buru Police Satreskrim Opsnal unit carried out patrols in its jurisdiction at around 05.10 WIT. During the patrol, the team saw a fast boat that was traveling on heavy cargo. This fast boat is considered unnatural towards Sanleko Village.

Seeing this condition, the Opsnal team immediately divided the task of monitoring the sea lane and the demolition location. When monitoring, 18 cans of CN were found. This chemical has been transported to a blue truck with police number DE 8939 DU.

"Furthermore, the opsnal team docked and headed for the second demolition site which was approximately 500 meters from the blue truck parking lot, then the team found seven CN cans and five carbon sacks on the shore," explained Aries.

Finding this, the Buru Police Satreskrim officers immediately secured the captain of the fast boat with the crew members (ABK) to the Buru Police Headquarters for questioning.

The results of the interrogation revealed that the goods were transported from Laha Village, Ambon City, on Thursday, November 14, 2024. "The number of items that were allegedly transported by B3 was 320 sacks of carbon and 25 cans of cyanide," he said.

In addition to the captain and crew member of the fast boat, the opsnal team also secured the truck driver and kenek. "They were immediately taken to the Buru Police Station for law enforcement," he said.

The nine suspected perpetrators who were arrested were the driver and truck driver with the initials MK (49) and RRE (25). Then the captain of the fast boat had the initials MD (43) along with six crew members, namely SS (47), HP, SM (49), TU (47), AL (29) and RK.

"Nine suspected smugglers are still being investigated for their current role. Meanwhile, their status is still as a witness, but it is possible that their status could change depending on the results of the investigation later," said Kombes Areis.