Extortion Modes At Tanjung Priok Port: From Paste Stickers To Deploy Asmoro Thugs

BUTTER

JAKARTA - Metro Jaya Police Chief Inspector General Fadil Imran explained the methods often carried out by thuggery groups and illegal levies (extortion) in the Tanjung Priok Port area. Starting from the deployment of subordinates to the installation of stickers.

For the first mode, the group asked for money from container drivers in varying amounts. This money is known as security money.

"The modus operandi is to quote a sum of money at each crossing to container truck drivers with variations ranging from IDR 2,000 to IDR 20,000", said Inspector General Fadil to reporters, Thursday, June 17.

"With that mode (they) seem to be securing it. But actually, they are extorting container transport companies from and to Tanjung Priok Port", continued Fadil.

The second mode is by mobilizing thugs or what is called Asmoro. The container drivers are also willing to provide security money.

"To smooth the action, this group ordered thugs called Asmoro who were on the street to commit criminal acts such as taking cellphones, stealing, extorting with the modus operandi of selling Aqua", said Inspector General Fadil.

"The third mode is by giving salaries or wages to Asmoro. The fourth is bringing to the driver by saying that if they want to be safe on the road from Asmoro's disturbance, they should join", he added.

In addition, these groups also put stickers on the trucks of the drivers. The sticker indicates the drivers have joined a certain group and must pay a certain amount of money every month.

"They collect money to attach stickers to each vehicle. The payment system is carried out every month per vehicle with a deposit or delivery payment of IDR 50,000 to IDR 100,000 per unit of container truck vehicle", said Fadil.

Polda Metro Jaya previously arrested four groups of thuggery and extortion in the Tanjung Priok Port area. The arrest was made after the order of the National Police Chief to eradicate thuggery in the port area and its surroundings.

"There were four groups that were revealed to be collecting extortion from truck operators with a total of 24 suspects", said Inspector General Fadil.