South Sumatra Police Intercept Trucks From Lampung Bring 17.2 Tons Of Subsidized Fertilizer, 4 Suspects Arrested

The South Sumatra Police revealed a case of smuggling 17.2 tons of subsidized fertilizer in the Betung area, by securing four suspects. (ANTARA/HO-Polda)

SOUTH Sumatra Regional Police (Polda) uncovered a case of smuggling 17.2 tons of subsidized fertilizer in the Betung area, Banyuasin. A total of four suspects were arrested from the operation.

Kasubdit I Indagsi Ditreskrimsus Polda Sumsel Kompol Andrie Setiawan said the case was based on information from the public that the investigation of truck transportation from Lampung Province was continuing to load the fertilizer in Betung Banyuasin.

"Starting from information from the public, his party conducted an investigation into the truck transportation from Lampung Province containing the fertilizer in Betung Banyuasin," he said in South Sumatra, Tuesday, November 26, which was confiscated by Antara.

He added that the four suspects included three people from Lampung, namely (ABT), (GP), (IS) and one person who was a resident from Banyuasin Regency, namely (SO).

The fertilizer is a subsidized fertilizer that is sold at a price that is not the price of subsidized fertilizers.

"Initially we arrested 10 tons of ABT and IS suspects who carried 10 tons of PHonska and Urea NPK fertilizer, then we developed a candidate for SO and GP buyers with evidence of fertilizer 7.2 tons of fertilizer," he said.

He said, behind the misuse of fertilizer, ABT is the owner of subsidized fertilizers, IS and GP are transport drivers where it was revealed that they had carried out the action seven times.

"The method is to sell subsidized fertilizers above HET, they take a profit of IDR 15 thousand per sack," he said.

He added that his party is still developing the case. The suspects are suspected of Article 110 in conjunction with Article 36 in conjunction with Article 35 paragraphs 1 and 2 of Law of the Republic of Indonesia Number 7 of 2014 concerning trade or Article 6 paragraph 1 letter B of the Emergency Law No. 7 of 1955 concerning investigation, prosecution and trial of economic crimes and or Article 480 of the Criminal Code in conjunction with Article 55 of the Criminal Code with a threat of five years in prison and or a fine of Rp. 5 billion.