Indonesia’s customs warns of emerging smuggling “hotspot”

To prevent similar smuggling activities, Indonesia’s Directorate General of Customs and Excise is conducting strict surveillance along the coast. The areas under surveillance include Belawan, Tanjung Balai Asahan, Dumai, Jambi, and the Riau Islands.

Jakarta (VNA) - Indonesia’s Directorate General of Customs and Excise has revealed that the East Coast of Sumatra has become a vulnerable area for smuggling, with many illegal ports located there.

Director General Djaka Budhi Utama made the statement on December 11, following the Directorate General's announcement of their efforts to thwart illegal distribution activities during the first week of December.

Djaka suspected that cases of smuggling illegal goods by truck or ship originate from activities through illegal ports along the east coast of Sumatra.

To prevent similar smuggling activities, Djaka said that the Directorate General is conducting strict surveillance along the coast. The areas under surveillance include Belawan, Tanjung Balai Asahan, Dumai, Jambi, and the Riau Islands.

It has a main operational base and several ships, and frequently patrol the waters of Sumatra and the East Coast of Sumatra, and will conduct further investigations to identify those responsible for smuggling activities, he added./.

VNA