February 16, 2026 | 03:19 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia's maritime security operations (Opskamla) unveiled tin smuggling worth 496.892 tons across the Bangka Belitung region, as confirmed by the Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Muhammad Ali.
According to him, the smugglers constantly changed their smuggling methods, but they often disguised it through marine product shipments. "Some would pretend to ship in fish, shrimp, or other products, but later found through inspection they're carrying tin sand," said Muhammad Ali in Muara Tengkorak, Sungailiat District, Bangka Regency, on Sunday, February 15, 2026.
Muhammad Ali said the smuggling crackdown is conducted by the Tri Cakti Task Force, consisting of land, sea, and air forces. The operation was also supported by naval forces to prevent smuggling by sea.
A total of 496.892 tons of tin evidence were seized, comprising 183.142 tons of ready-to-sell tin bars, 313.209 tons of tin ore or tin sand, 0.541 tons of cast tin, and 0.121 tons of tin coins.
The evidence is estimated to be worth Rp173.6 billion.
Muhammad Ali added that authorities also succeeded in thwarting the smuggling attempt of 10.7 thousand tons of rare earth minerals, consisting of 9.3 thousand tons of monazite and 1.3 thousand tons of zircon. They also discovered ilmenite, the quantity of which is still being calculated.
"Meanwhile, the total value of monazite and rare earth minerals cannot be calculated as revenue as there is no regulation in Indonesia," he said.
Muhammad Ali further added that their efforts were intended as a deterrent and to block attempts of smuggling, as smugglers will be handed over to the prosecutor's office.
According to him, the crackdown is part of the Indonesian Navy's commitment to support government policies. "To firmly act against illegal mining practices and smuggling of natural resources that harm the state finances and cause environmental damage," said Muhammad Ali.
Read: Indonesian Police Foil Tin Sand Smuggling Attempt on Bangka Island
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