Indonesian Police Uncover Illegal Imports, Saving State Nearly $1 Billion

Indonesia's National Police have successfully combated illegal import activities, recovering nearly Rp 1 trillion for the state since December 2025. The police's Anti-Smuggling Task Force has been actively targeting various forms of illegal export and import operations.

Brigadier General Ade Safri Simanjuntak, Director of Special Economic Crimes at the National Police's Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim), stated that the task force's objective is to ensure all trade and import activities comply with Indonesian law. One significant case involved the smuggling of approximately 50,000 used iPhones and Android phones, along with spare parts, valued at an estimated Rp 250 billion. This operation led to seizures from four locations in North Jakarta and Sidoarjo.

Further investigations uncovered other illicit activities, including the seizure of 256,300 units of baby products and toys worth around Rp 3 billion. In West Kalimantan, 23 tons of garlic, shallots, and dried chilies, allegedly imported without proper documentation from China, India, and the Netherlands, were confiscated. Another case in Bali involved the illegal import of used clothing from South Korea, with two suspects arrested and goods valued at Rp 3.5 billion seized. The total illegal import transactions for this case alone reportedly reached Rp 669 billion between 2021 and 2025. The task force also initiated money laundering investigations, seizing assets worth Rp 22 billion.