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Pattimura Airport Foils Attempt to Smuggle 33.5 Kilograms of Mercury

By Admin 1 Jumat, 06 Juni 2025 Pengunjung (127) 1 Mins Read
pattimura-airport-foils-attempt-to-smuggle-335-kilograms-of-mercury

Inp.polri.go.id - Ambon. Authorities at Pattimura Airport in Ambon, Maluku, have foiled an attempt to smuggle 33.5 kilograms of mercury (chemical symbol: Hg), also known as quicksilver, through the airport’s cargo and postal terminal.

General Manager Shively Sanssouci said on Thursday (5/6/2025)) that airport security personnel intercepted seven packages between 24 May and 2 June 2025. The detection was made possible through x-ray scanners and inter-agency coordination.

“The items showed up as black and impenetrable on the scanner, indicating the presence of heavy metals,” Shively explained, as quoted by antaranews.com.

Tests conducted by the Maluku Energy and Mineral Resources Agency and the Environmental Office confirmed the substance as mercury—a highly corrosive and toxic chemical banned from air transport due to the risk it poses to aircraft metal structures.

Mercury is the only metal that remains liquid at room temperature and is known for its silver-like appearance. It is highly toxic and considered illegal for unregulated distribution, especially by air.

The airport has handed the substance over to the Pattimura Airport Police for further investigation. The Indonesian Air Force also assisted in securing the area during the operation.

(mg/inp/pr/rs)

 

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