Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. The Barelang Sub-regional Police in Riau Islands foiled an illegal distribution attempt involving 8,664 bottles of alcoholic beverages in Batam, with estimated market values ranging between Rp 3 billion and Rp 8 billion.

The illicit shipment, allegedly smuggled from Singapore, was uncovered following public reports regarding suspicious activity at the Golden 4 warehouse complex in Bengkong District, Batam, on Sunday.

Barelang Police Head of Criminal Investigation Unit Senior Inspector Agung Tri Poerbowo said that officers conducted a raid while suspects were loading the contraband into vehicles.

"We conducted an investigation and raided the location around 2 pm as two men, identified as SS and CH, were loading alcoholic beverages into a car," he explained on Friday (16/10/2026).

Police named SS a suspect for distributing unlicensed alcoholic products under the Food Law, which carries a maximum penalty of two years' imprisonment and a Rp 4 billion fine. Investigations remain ongoing to track entry ports and additional accomplices.

(mg/ad/pr/rs)