Four Suspects Named in Illegal Tin Hoarding Case in Bangka Belitung

The Bangka Belitung Islands Regional Police have officially named four individuals as suspects in the illegal storage of approximately 52.5 tons of tin ore in Belitung Regency. The arrests are part of a broader crackdown on illegal mining activities in the region.

According to police reports, the suspects operated by purchasing tin ore from miners outside of official mining permits (IUP). The individuals allegedly involved include a collector who bought the tin, a field supervisor responsible for transactions, a financier, and a homeowner who used their property as a storage facility.

The operation, conducted by a joint team from the Polda Babel, Brimob Unit, and Belitung Resort Police, successfully seized the illicit tin ore. The suspects are being charged under Law Number 2 of 2025 concerning the fourth amendment to Law Number 4 of 2009 on Mineral and Coal Mining, along with provisions from the Criminal Code. They face a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment.

Police spokesperson Kombes Pol Agus Sugiyarso stated that the operation demonstrates the Polda Babel's commitment to combating illegal mining. The investigation is ongoing to determine the suspects' motives and the intended destination for the illegally sourced tin, which is suspected to be shipped off Belitung Island.