Inp.polri.go.id - Pangkalpinang. The Criminal Investigation Agency of the Indonesian National Police (INP) and the Bangka Belitung Regional Police uncovered a massive illegal tin processing operation on Saturday.

The raid targeted three locations across East Belitung and Belitung districts, following a major bust in Batam where authorities intercepted 16 tons of tin ore bound for Malaysia. Investigators seized processing equipment, including shaking tables used for ore purification, and arrested two suspects identified as A and M.

"This site served as the primary processing hub for illegal tin intended for smuggling into Malaysia," said Brigadier General Irhamni, the Director of Specific Crimes at the INP Criminal Investigation Agency, on Sunday (1/3/2026), as cited by antaranews.com.

The suspects confessed to successfully smuggling tin to Malaysian smelters four times previously. Police and Customs Office officials are now tracking the wider network involved in this transborder crime syndicate.

(mg/inp/pr/rs)