The smuggling attempt was thwarted in North Balis waters while the illegal ammonium nitrate was being transported to Sulawesi, Husni Syaiful of the Bali Nusa Tenggara customs and excise office said here, Thursday.
The authorities arrested six crew of the MV Alam Indah in North Balis waters on Wednesday (Sept 21) at 11:30 a.m. local time.
The chemical substance was imported illegally without documentation or permits.
The operation was conducted during a routine patrol in Balis waters up to the waters near Timor Leste.
They had grown suspicious of a small wooden boat with imported cargo that did not attempt to enter any designated seaports with the authority to check imported goods.
The boat had initially carried 1,500 sacks, but because of a leak, 300 sacks were believed to have been thrown into the sea.
Each sack contained 25 kilograms of ammonium nitrate. The sacks were categorized by two labels: ammonium nitrate and PPNJ (The Johor State Farmers Association) Organik Dirumus Khas Pelbagai Tanaman.
Ammonium nitrate is classified as restricted goods because it can be used as an explosive material, mostly for mining and destructive fishing activities.
(Uu.F001/INE/KR-BSR/F001)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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