Synergy Between Institutions Effectively Prevents Smuggling

Jakarta – Efforts to eradicate smuggling in various regions of Indonesia have shown significant results thanks to close collaboration between law enforcement officers. Various acts of smuggling, ranging from illegal goods, narcotics, to protected animals have been successfully thwarted.

One of the operations carried out by Morowali Customs together with Lantamal VI Makassar was able to thwart the smuggling of drinks containing ethyl alcohol (MMEA) and illegal cigarettes in Morowali waters. In the action, officers confiscated 1,643 bottles or 1,076.4 liters of MMEA and 46,200 sticks of illegally imported cigarettes.

“Of the total, the potential state loss reached IDR 243.8 million,” said Head of the Morowali Customs Office, Satya Nugraha.

In eastern Indonesia, a joint operation was also held on the RI-Papua New Guinea border. A joint team from Merauke Customs, Merauke Class II TPI Immigration Office, and RI-PNG Border Security Task Force Yonif 144/Jaya Yudha successfully thwarted two drug smuggling attempts within three days in Jair District, Boven Digoel Regency, South Papua.

The first action was taken against a Papua New Guinean border crosser carrying 16.41 grams of marijuana and 1.52 grams of cocaine. Meanwhile, in the second action, the team secured 411 grams of marijuana from a house used as a place for drug transactions and consumption.

“This joint operation is an effort to increase supervision of illegal border crossers on the Indonesia-Papua New Guinea border, with the hope of creating an environment free from narcotics,” said Head of Internal Compliance and Counseling Section of Merauke Customs, Pratomo Heri Purnawan Wijayanto.

Meanwhile, in the western region of Indonesia, Teluk Nibung Customs and the Tanjungbalai Asahan Quarantine Service Unit Office have recorded success in preventing the smuggling of protected animals and marine biota.

In the latest action, officers secured 1,519 horseshoe crabs, 37.8 kilograms of mussels, 17 kilograms of tiger snails, 20 kilograms of clam meat, and 4 kilograms of cincaro fish.

Head of the Teluk Nibung Customs Office, Nurhasan Ashari, said that cross-agency cooperation is very important to maintain environmental sustainability.

“With strong synergy, we can ensure that protected animals can be well protected and smugglers can be given sanctions according to applicable regulations,” he said.

This series of successes from various regions shows that cooperation between institutions is not only important, but also effective in maintaining security, order, and the sustainability of Indonesia’s natural resources. *

[edRW]