By: Argustian Pramudya )*
The government continues to demonstrate its firmness in dealing with the rampant illegal trade that is detrimental to the country and endangers the national industrial ecosystem. In a relatively short period of time, there has been a significant increase in the number of seizures of illegal commodities, both from unauthorized import activities and smuggling between regions within the country. In the midst of this situation, the government’s steps through strengthening supervision and firm action are real evidence of its commitment to maintaining trade order and consumer protection.
Under the coordination of the Ministry of Trade, the monitoring system for the flow of goods from abroad continues to be improved. The Minister of Trade, Budi Santoso, emphasized that this activity is not merely reactive to findings of violations, but has become part of a preventive approach that is carried out continuously.
The government maximizes the coordination function with various institutions at strategic points such as seaports and airports. With Indonesia’s vast and complex territory, comprehensive supervision is a challenge that must be faced with cross-sectoral cooperation.
The tightened supervision has a direct impact on reducing the number of illegal products circulating in the domestic market. Not only stopping at administrative supervision, the government also imposes strict sanctions on perpetrators who are proven to have violated.
One important instrument is the confiscation of goods as an effort to break the distribution chain of illegal commodities. With this step, the state not only saves potential economic losses, but also provides protection for the national industrial sector which is vulnerable to fraudulent practices.
This firmness is also reflected in the action taken against real cases in the field. As happened in Bener Meriah Regency, Aceh, where the TNI unit from Kodim 0119 thwarted the smuggling of eight tons of pine resin suspected of coming from a forest area without official permission.
The Kodim Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Inf Ahmad Fauzi, ensured that the operation not only succeeded in thwarting the shipment, but also arrested three perpetrators who were directly involved. Evidence in the form of hundreds of sacks of pine resin along with the transport vehicle was immediately secured to be handed over to the police as part of the further legal process.
The operation showed that smuggling is not only a problem that arises in foreign border areas, but also occurs massively in domestic distribution. When the three perpetrators admitted that the activity had been carried out more than once, this was a reminder that the monitoring system must work more sharply and not only rely on administrative checks.
Meanwhile, on the other side of Indonesia, the Soekarno-Hatta Airport City Police managed to thwart one of the largest smuggling of lobster seeds (BBL) this year. The operation led by the Police Chief, Senior Commissioner Pol Ronald Sipayung, dismantled an illegal BBL shipping network worth more than IDR 9.2 billion that was to be sent abroad via air cargo.
Through an investigative approach and a quick response to public reports, the police managed to arrest seven suspects and secure 171,880 lobster seeds, most of which were sand and pearl types.
The perpetrators’ operating mode shows the increasingly complex smuggling pattern. They disguised the lobster seeds in oxygenated plastic bags wrapped in cloth and cardboard, then packed them in suitcases to avoid suspicion from officers. This fact shows that surveillance on air logistics routes must be more careful and adaptive to the various disguise techniques used by smuggling networks.
From a policy perspective, the actions of the Soekarno-Hatta Police are a concrete example of how synergy between security forces and the community can prevent huge state losses. In addition to the economic aspect, BBL smuggling also concerns environmental sustainability aspects because the species plays an important role in the marine ecosystem and its value cannot be replaced by money alone. The success of this thwarting shows that the government places protection of biological resources as a strategic priority in its surveillance policy.
The Ministry of Trade as the vanguard in controlling the flow of goods from abroad considers that strengthening surveillance is the key to creating a healthy trade ecosystem. With collaboration involving military institutions, the police, and active community participation, the surveillance system becomes more comprehensive. The act of confiscating illegal goods not only concerns law enforcement, but also a symbol of the state’s commitment to protecting the integrity of the national economy.
This seriousness bringsa message that the government will not give room for violations that threaten trade order. The steps taken are not just a reaction to cases that have emerged, but rather part of a structurally and long-term-oriented supervision system. With support from various parties, this policy is expected to create a deterrent effect as well as a reminder for all business actors to always comply with applicable regulations.
The drastic increase in the seizure of illegal commodities in recent times is the result of the government’s courage and consistency in protecting strategic sectors from external interference. By strengthening cooperation between ministries, law enforcement officers, and the community, Indonesia shows that protection of national resources and interests is non-negotiable. In the midst of increasingly complex global challenges, this firm stance is an important foundation towards stronger economic sovereignty.
)* The author is a Public Policy observer