Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Military (TNI) Lieutenant General. Richard Taruli H. Tampubolon inspected evidence of rare earth element (REE) and radioactive mineral smuggling foiled by the Navy in Batam, Riau Islands, on Tuesday.

“The inspection was conducted to examine alleged customs and export violations that could harm the state and threaten national resource management,” Richard said in an official statement published by antaranews.com on Wednesday (27/5/2026).

The Navy secured 25 containers from the vessel TB Capricorn 106/TK Capricorn 92.210. Laboratory tests confirmed the presence of titanium oxide, rare earths, and radioactive materials including zirconium oxide, thorium oxide, neodymium oxide, triuranium octoxide, and cerium oxide. The cargo’s value was estimated in the trillions of rupiah.

Commander of Naval Region IV, Rear Admiral Berkat Widjanarko said that the operation reflects TNI’s commitment to safeguarding sovereignty and preventing illegal exploitation of strategic resources. The seizure was carried out by KRI Kujang-642 in Riau waters on 17 May2026.

(mg/inp/pr/rs)