A Series Of Shocking Facts Behind The Practice Of Extortion At Tanjung Priok Port

Illustration (Unsplash)

JAKARTA - Polda Metro Jaya uncovered cases of thuggery and illegal levies (extortion) in the Tanjung Priok Port area. From this disclosure, several surprising facts emerged.

The first fact is that four groups of extortionists have been exposed which have deeply disturbed the container truck drivers. One of them group 'Bad Boy'.

"There are four groups that have been revealed with the modus operandi of attracting extortion from truck operators with a total of 24 suspects," said Metro Jaya Police Chief Inspector General Fadil Imran to reporters, Thursday, June 17.

Based on the results of the examination, these groups made extortion to several companies reaching millions of rupiah. Because, from these groups the police confiscated money ranging from tens to hundreds of millions

For the 'Bad Boy' group, they collect extortion as much as Rp9.1 million per month. The money is a deposit from 12 companies for 134 units of container trucks

"This was organized by the leadership. So the leaders, staff, coordinators of the asmoro (as thugs) in the field. Four suspects from the 'Bad Boy' group were arrested," said Fadil.

Then, the second group was known as the Haluan Jaya Prakasa group. At least six people from this group were arrested. They are the chairperson, administrative board, members, field coordinator, group coordinator of thugs and jumping squirrels in the field.

"From them (the Haluan Jaya group) Rp. 177,349,500 was confiscated. The money was collected from 141 companies," said Fadil.

The third group is Sapta Jaya Abadi. In this group, the police arrested three people consisting of the leader, the field coordinator and the administrative division.

"This group collects money every month from 23 transportation companies that own 529 trucks. The total money confiscated from their offices is Rp. 24,650,000," said Fadil.

Finally, the Tanjung Raya Kemilau thugs group. Around 10 people were arrested from the group who withdrew money from 30 container transport companies with a total of 809 container trucks.

"From that group, Rp. 82.56 million was confiscated," said Fadil.

The second fact found in the disclosure of this extortion case is the mode used by the perpetrators. There are at least four modus operandi that they often do.

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 quoting a sum of money at each crossing to container truck drivers with variations ranging from Rp. 2,000 to Rp. 20,000," said Inspector General Fadil.

"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 snatching 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. Fourth, 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 Rp. 50,000 to Rp. 100,000 per unit of container truck," said Fadil.

Furthermore, the latest fact found in this case is that the truck drivers were asked to hand over money not only in the port area. But outside the port also have to give money.

"Groups operating within the port service area, both in the port area and outside the port area, are known as depots or temporary stockpiles," said Fadil.

In their action, the group that acted in the port area asked the truck drivers to hand over money at every crossing. The amount starts from Rp. 2 thousand to Rp. 20 thousand.

This group has also been eradicated since President Joko Widodo's order to the National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo. Dozens of members have also been arrested.

"It has been successfully revealed as many as 49 people," said Fadil.

Meanwhile, for other groups, continued Fadil, they played outside the harbor. They withdraw money to the truck drivers with the mode of security money.

"With the modus operandi, it seems as if they are securing, but in fact they are extorting container transport companies from and to Tanjung Priok Port," said Fadil.

In that way, the group can withdraw tens of millions of rupiah. This is because truck drivers are required to deposit Rp. 50,000 to Rp. 100,000 per month.

In fact, if the truck drivers don't want to deposit money, these groups start to spread terror. They will harass the drivers in various ways, one of which is recruiting paid thugs.

"The investigation team found that there was a correlation between the disturbances experienced by the truck driver and the deposit given. That is the correlation between stickers, deposits, extortion and thuggery that occurred," said Fadil.