Bali Customs Foil Smuggling Attempt Of Ammonium Nitrate From Malaysia

Customs officers supervising workers gathering evidence of chemical substance ammonium nitrate in the Bali Nusa Tenggara customs and excise office in Denpasar, Bali. (ANTARA FOTO/Nyoman Budhiana/wdy/16)

Kuta (Antara Bali) - The Bali and West Nusa Tenggara Customs and Excise Office has foiled an attempt to smuggle some 30 tons of ammonium nitrate, wrapped in 1,200 sacks, from Malaysia into Indonesia.

The smuggling attempt was thwarted in North Bali`s 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 Bali`s 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 Bali`s 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. (WDY)