Batam - A ship carrying illegal alcoholic beverages was stopped by Batam Customs officers in Nongsa waters. The name of the ship is KM Budi Berlayar which sails to Sengkuang Waters during the arrest, last Saturday (20/2/2021).

Head of the Batam Customs (BC) and Excise Main Service Office, Susila Brata, explained that his party, who received the information, deployed a patrol boat on Saturday morning at around 03.00 WIB.

"The BC 7004 Patrol Task Force pursues and warns the target to stop the ship," said Susila Brata, Monday (22/2/2021).

After receiving a warning, the ship continued moving and the skipper landed the ship around the waters of Putri Island, Nongsa District, Batam.

BC is backed up. Water and Air Police Force of Riau Islands checked the ship. Several cartons containing cigarettes and alcoholic drinks were found. The cargo was finally secured with one crew member.

It is known from the results of the interrogation that there were eight crews. Receiving this information, the Task Force immediately searched for crew members who jumped into the sea.

Proof of 454 cartons with a total of 5.9 million cigarettes with various brands such as Maximum, Rave Menthol, Rave Flavor, Double Happiness, Machester Menthol, and Manchester Blue Sapphire.

Meanwhile, there are 85 cartons of alcoholic drinks without any excise stamps attached to 1,020 bottles consisting of 1 liter of Red Label and 700 milliliters of Red Label.

The value of goods is estimated to reach IDR 10 billion with potential state losses of IDR 7.8 billion.