Light sentences for three defendants in customs corruption case

A Jakarta corruption court handed down lighter prison sentences on Friday, July 10, 2026, to three private defendants involved in a corruption case within the Directorate General of Customs and Excise for the 2025-2026 period. The defendants, John Field, Dedy Kurniawan, and Andri, all associated with PT Blueray Cargo, received sentences significantly shorter than those demanded by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) prosecutors.

Presiding judge Brelly Yuniar Dien sentenced John Field to two years in prison and fined him Rp 300 million, with an alternative of 100 days' detention. Dedy Kurniawan, operational manager for Custom Clearance at Blueray Cargo, and Andri, head of the import documentation team, were each sentenced to one year and six months in prison and fined Rp 200 million, with an alternative of 80 days' detention.

These sentences were considerably less than the prosecution's demands. The KPK had sought three years imprisonment for Field and two and a half years each for Kurniawan and Andri, along with the same fines and alternative detention periods. The court's decision reflected several mitigating circumstances considered by the judges.

Judge Brelly explained that while the defendants' actions constituted a crime, they were not entirely initiated by them. The situation was reportedly influenced by certain customs officials who intentionally created obstacles for the defendants' cargo business, potentially causing losses. Furthermore, Field, Kurniawan, and Andri acknowledged and regretted their actions, promising not to repeat them. The judges also noted that the defendants had no prior criminal record and had families to support.

Conversely, the court acknowledged aggravating factors, stating the defendants' actions contradicted the government's anti-corruption efforts and damaged public trust in the Directorate General of Customs and Excise and the Ministry of Finance. Despite this, the defendants accepted the verdict and did not appeal, while the KPK stated it would consider its options over the next seven days.