JAKARTA - Polda Metro Jaya together with Tanjung Priok Customs revealed a case of alleged smuggling of liquid mercury that will be sent to Manila, Philippines. In the disclosure, the police named two suspects with the initials MAL and H.
Director of Special Criminal Investigation (Direskrimsus) of the Metro Jaya Police, Kombes Victor Deanmackbon, said the disclosure was made on April 21, 2026 at the KPU Customs Inspection Post at Tanjung Priok Customs, North Jakarta.
This case was revealed after customs officers found discrepancies between the export documents and the contents of the goods in the container.
"Police officers together with Customs carried out an inspection of a container number MRSU 7176261 with a capacity of 40 feet Full Container Load (FCL) type for Manila, Philippines," he said in a press conference, Wednesday, May 13, 2026.
Victor said that from the results of the examination, officers found 760 bottles of silver-colored liquid with the inscription "Mercury Gold 1 Kg". The dangerous goods were hidden in a cardboard box and inserted into 145 rolls of carpet to deceive officers.
Based on the results of the investigation, the mercury belongs to MAL who admitted to receiving an order from a foreign citizen with the initials AB who lives in Davao, Philippines. And now, MAL has the status of a suspect.
The practice of illegally shipping mercury to the Philippines has been known to have taken place since 2021.
"The suspect MAL is tasked with finding and sending mercury ordered by AB's brother," he said.
In carrying out his actions, MAL obtained mercury supplies from suspect H. The police said H sold mercury to MAL for Rp2.4 million per kilogram after obtaining the goods with a capital of Rp2.1 million per kilogram.
"MAL then resold the mercury at a price of Rp2.7 million per kilogram and reaped a profit of around Rp300 thousand per bottle or kilogram," he said.
The police said the suspects did not have a special mining business permit (IUPK), transportation permit, or mercury sales permit. In this case, the police have examined nine witnesses and one expert and secured a number of evidence.
"The evidence seized includes 760 bottles of liquid mercury and one carpet roll used to hide the goods," he added.
To hold them accountable for their actions, the suspects were charged with Law Number 7 of 2014 concerning Trade and Law Number 2 of 2025 concerning Mineral and Coal Mining.
"The state losses experienced related to the sale of mercury are approximately Rp30 billion," he concluded.
Meanwhile, the Head of the Tanjung Priok Customs and Excise KPU, Adhang Noegroho Adhi, said that the disclosure was a form of synergy in export-import supervision between Customs and the police.
"Mercury is a dangerous item whose supervision is very strict and requires special permission. The modus operandi of hiding in the carpet roll was successfully revealed by us together," he said.
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