Tuesday, 16 June 2026
BATAM | INDATANEWS.COM ~ Batam Customs authorities have thwarted an attempt to smuggle hundreds of high-value smartphones through the Telaga Punggur Ferry Port in the Riau Islands, Indonesia. A pickup truck carrying illegal goods was intercepted during a routine inspection before boarding a ferry bound for Tanjung Buton, Siak.
Routine Inspection Triggers SuspicionThe operation took place on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at around 12:45 p.m. local time, ahead of the scheduled 2:00 p.m. departure of the KMP Lome ferry to Pelabuhan Mengkapan. Customs officers from Batam, working with an enforcement team, conducted standard passenger and vehicle checks as part of routine port security procedures.
Read Also:During the inspection, officers noticed a pickup truck that appeared empty at first glance. However, inconsistencies detected during on-site analysis prompted a more thorough examination of the vehicle and its driver.
Hidden Compartment Used for Smuggling
Read Also:A detailed search led to the discovery of a concealed "false compartment" built into the side panel of the truck's cargo area. The hidden space had been специально engineered to evade customs detection and conceal illegal goods.
Inside the compartment, officers found hundreds of smartphones of various brands, all without valid customs documentation.
Millions-Rupiah Shipment SeizedAuthorities immediately secured the vehicle and all evidence, transferring the case to the Batam Customs and Excise Office (KPU Bea dan Cukai Tipe B Batam) for further investigation.
A K-9 unit was also deployed to conduct secondary screening, confirming that no narcotics, psychotropic substances, or precursor chemicals were involved.In total, 337 smartphones were confiscated, including 167 iPhone 14 (128 GB), 100 iPhone 15 (128 GB), 20 iPhone 17 Pro Max (512 GB), and 50 Samsung Galaxy A57 5G (256 GB). The total estimated value of the seized goods is around IDR 3.76 billion, with potential state losses of approximately IDR 414 million.
Batam Customs Chief, Agung Widodo, emphasized that surveillance along smuggling routes will continue to be strengthened.
"The use of hidden compartments shows systematic attempts to bypass inspections. We will intensify enforcement to ensure fair trade and protect the public," he said.He also urged the public to avoid illegal activities and report any suspicious behavior.
"Public participation is crucial in supporting customs enforcement and excise control," Widodo added. (IDNC)REPORTER: Dalil Harahap | EDITOR: Fik Sagala
