inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. The Riau Islands Regional Police foiled an attempt to smuggle nearly 70 tons of frozen meat in the waters of Moro District, Karimun Regency. 

"We secured two Indonesian-flagged vessels in the Moro area, both carrying meat and other goods," explained Head of Sub-Directorate I of the Special Criminal Investigation Directorate of the Riau Islands Regional Police, Superintendent Paksi Eka Saputra, as quoted by Antara, Tuesday (1/27/2026).

He said that at the time of the arrest, the vessels had arrived in Batam to have their cargo counted. Preliminary data indicates the vessels were carrying frozen beef, pork, and chicken, as well as other cargo, such as bicycles and rubber bales. 

"Some of the meat came from Brazil," he said. 

The vessels, he explained, were 113 gross tonnage (GT) wooden vessels sailing from Singapore and entering Riau Islands waters. He revealed that the vessels were planning to head to Pekanbaru and Jambi. 

"They were headed to Pekanbaru and Jambi," he said. Currently, the authorities are still investigating the two vessels for violations of the Quarantine Act and the Trade Act.

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