Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. The East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Immigration Office have foiled an alleged attempt by three Chinese men to illegally depart for Australia via coastal waters in Kupang Regency on Sunday (11/1/2026), following intelligence reports received days earlier.

“The three foreigners were under surveillance after information indicated they intended to travel to Australia through an illegal route,” said NTT Immigration Office Head Arvin Gumilang, as cited by antaranews.com.

Officials said the suspects were staying at a hotel in Kupang while seeking to purchase a boat in Tablolong village. Immigration officers conducted covert monitoring and intercepted them while they were hiding aboard a vessel without crew at Tablolong Beach, an area considered vulnerable to illegal crossings.

The three have been transferred to the Kupang Immigration Detention Center for further investigation.

(mg/inp/pr/rs)