By Bernama,
Batam : Riau Islands police have foiled an attempt to smuggle in 70 tonnes of diesel in the waters of Subang Mas, Riau Islands, ANTARA news agency quoted the police as saying.
“We are holding custody of KM SETIA vessel which transported the 70 tonnes of diesel oil,” Director of the Crime and Investigation Department of the Riau Islands Police, Senior Commissioner M. Jupri said here on Thursday.
He said that the police made the arrest on Wednesday night (Oct 15).
The police suspected that the vessel had carried the diesel oil from overseas and sold it to various ships in Indonesian waters.
Based on the results of initial police investigation, the owner of the boat is now wanted by police.
“The skipper of the boat, and its owner are now under police hunt,” Jupri said.
At present, the vessel and diesel oil are being kept at the Air Punggur Police Post as evidence, according to Jupri.
He said the police also detained 12 crew members for further investigation.