2 Containers For Transportation Thousands Of Carves Of Ex-Secured Goods Acquired By Police In The Middle Of Trend Thrifting

The Riau Islands Police (Kepri) Special Criminal Investigation Directorate (Ditreskrimsus) has secured two containers containing thousands of second or used sacks of goods from Singapore in Batam amid the rampant trend of thrusting.

Thrifting is a sale and purchase of used goods, including branded ones. The Head of the Riau Islands Police, Inspector General of the Tabana Bangun Police, said that the thousands of sacks that were secured were filled with used clothes, used bags and used shoes.

"Officers made arrests on February 14, 2023. This was revealed after information that used goods would enter the Batam City area. After we searched, we managed to secure two containers containing 1,200 sacks containing used clothes and a mixture of used goods," said Tabana in Batam, Riau Islands, Wednesday, February 15, confiscated by Antara.

In this case, Tabana said, the police have not named a suspect because he is still in the investigation stage. However, he emphasized that his party had already pocketed the names of potential suspects in this case, but it still took time.

"Until now, officers are still developing this case to find potential suspects and are there any indications or other networks that practice imports of used goods prohibited in the Batam City area," he said.

For the modus operandi, he said, he traded clothes, transported and stored used goods originating from Singapore to traders in Batam.

For state losses, Inspector General Tabana has not been able to confirm the amount. However, from the large amount of evidence, it is estimated that the state's losses reach billions of rupiah.

"The law enforcement carried out is a form of the National Police, especially the Riau Islands Police in supporting the Government's policies and the President's attention in realizing the national economic recovery. Because the import of used clothes can be a threat to the textile and domestic garment industry," he said.

Di tempat yang sama, Kepala Bea Cukai Batam Ambang Priyonggo menjelaskan bahwa, masuknya barang basang ke Indonesia menjadi perhatian seluruh kalangan, karena kasus ini sudah menjadi perhatian pemerintah dalam upaya pemulihan ekonomi nasional.

"One of them is a strategy to strengthen the domestic economy, including the rampant entry of illegal textile products," he said.

He said that the efforts of Customs and Excise in suppressing the entry of illegal goods had been carried out continuously. Because this activity clearly affects the national economy related to domestic production in terms of garment and textile products.

"The action taken against these two containers has given us a signal that the Riau Islands and Customs Police are very focused on this case," he said.