According to a Navy statement received in Jakarta, the case began when warship KRI Kujang-642—operating under Fleet Command I of the Maritime Security Task Force—detected suspicious movements by tugboat Capricorn 106 and barge Capricorn 92.210 on May 16.
The Navy subsequently boarded and inspected both vessels through elements of the Indonesian Fleet Command. The inspection found cargo containing rare earth elements and other hazardous radioactive materials, the statement said.
The boarding was conducted under provisions of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which defines coastal-state authority in archipelagic waters, territorial seas, contiguous zones, exclusive economic zones, and continental shelves.
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The Navy's maritime law-enforcement authority is also stipulated under Article 9 Paragraph (1)(b) of Law Number 3 of 2025, which amended Law Number 34 of 2004 on the Indonesian Military.
The law states the Navy is responsible for enforcing the law and maintaining security in maritime areas in accordance with national legislation and ratified international law, the statement said. The Navy said the cargo fell into a category of goods prohibited from export.
Following the discovery, authorities seized the shipment and transferred the case to relevant law-enforcement agencies for further investigation.
The statement said the operation highlighted the readiness of military personnel and effective inter-agency cooperation in monitoring and enforcing the law across Indonesia's waters.
The success reflected the preparedness, intelligence capabilities and strong coordination among government agencies involved in safeguarding Indonesia's maritime territory.
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Translator: Walda M, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Fransiska Ninditya
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