Tanjungpinang (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Navy has seized 684.33 kilograms of material suspected to be tin sand off Pelakak Village in Lingga District, Riau Islands, thwarting an alleged smuggling attempt, a naval official said.
The 46 sacks are being held at Dabo Singkep Naval Base pending examination and planned laboratory tests to determine their contents, said base commander Navy Lt. Col. Hendro Wicaksono.
“Weighing showed that the seized material totaled 684.33 kilograms,” Wicaksono said in a statement issued in Tanjungpinang on Saturday.
The discovery followed intelligence about suspected sea transportation of tin sand in the Singkep Pesisir area, prompting naval personnel to patrol and monitor the coastline and nearby ports.
At around 2:40 a.m. local time, personnel found 11 sacks suspected of containing tin sand on a beach near a plantation behind a resident's house.
A subsequent search uncovered another sack behind the house and 34 more inside an unoccupied house about 200 meters from the initial discovery site.
The Navy will investigate the material's origin, identify those involved and trace suspected maritime distribution routes before determining further legal action under applicable laws and regulations, Wicaksono said.
He said the operation demonstrated the Navy's commitment to strengthening coastal and maritime surveillance and preventing the illegal transportation and smuggling of mineral resources.
The operation also followed an order from Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Muhammad Ali to intensify maritime surveillance and take firm action against illegal activities that could cause losses to the state.