Inp.polri.go.id - Muntok. In in a joint effort involving the West Bangka Sub-regional Police, the Criminal Investigation Unit of the Bangka Belitung Islands Regional Police, the Water  and Air Police, and the Jebus Police Office, a total of 273 sacks of suspected smuggled tin sand were confiscated in the Limau Mentigi Bay area of the Parittiga District. West Bangka Police Chief, Superintendent Ade Zamrah, said that this development was a result of cooperation between the media, journalists, and the police. "Previously, journalists had reported suspected smuggling activities in the Limau Mentigi Bay area to the Police Chief and the Criminal Investigation Unit," he said on Saturday (16/3/2024). In addition to seizing the 273 sacks of tin sand, the joint operation also led to the arrests of two suspects. "The joint team, have arrested two suspects, identified as the owners of the location and the tin sand, with the initials S and AP," he explained. During the operation, strong suspicions of smuggling arose due to Limau Bay's geographic location, which serves as a potential transit point to Malaysia or Singapore from the outermost coastal area of Bangka Island. Chief Zamrah revealed that the two suspects were repeat offenders previously involved in sand smuggling cases. "Currently, the suspects and evidence are detained at the West Bangka Police Headquarters, and both suspects will face multiple charges under mining laws, environmental laws, and spatial planning laws," he added. (mg/fa/pr/nm)