Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. Rote Ndao Sub-regional Police in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) have detained three Indonesian crew members accused of attempting to smuggle seven Chinese nationals to Australia.
Rote Ndao Police Chief Superintendent Mardiono said the suspects , identified as Aco (22), Jusman (32), and Indra (48)m were detained on2 November 2025 and face 20 days of initial custody under immigration and criminal laws.
“They are suspected of human smuggling under Article 120 of Law No. 6/2011 on Immigration,” he said Wednesday (5/11/2025), as reported by antaranews.com.
The case began on 26 October 2025 when local fishermen spotted a suspicious white vessel near Ndana Island and reported it to the police. Authorities later found seven Chinese citizens aboard and escorted the boat to Oebou Port.
NTT Police Head of Public Relations Head of Public Relations Senior Superintendent Henry Novika Chandra said the regional police chief commended officers for their swift action and reiterated tighter maritime patrols in border areas prone to human smuggling.
(mg/inp/pr/rs)
