Professor of Agricultural Economics and lecturer of the Agribusiness Study Program at UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, Prof. Dr. Achmad Tjachja Nugraha, expressed his appreciation for the Indonesian Navy’s efforts in preventing the smuggling of illegal tin sand in Jakarta.
The appreciation was conveyed following the Indonesian Navy’s success in thwarting the smuggling of more than 16 tons of illegal tin sand during monitoring operations conducted throughout 2026. Tens of tons of illegal tin sand were secured from various distribution routes, ranging from the waters of Bangka Belitung, river routes, ferry ports, to distribution warehouses in Jakarta.
Prof. Achmad stated that the achievement demonstrates the seriousness of authorities in protecting the nation’s natural resources from illegal practices that harm both the country and the environment.
“We, as academics who are concerned about environmental damage, especially those related to food resources, appreciate the Indonesian Navy for successfully preventing the smuggling of approximately 16 tons of tin sand in Jakarta. This is an extraordinary achievement and deserves appreciation from the entire community,” he said.
He also highlighted the major environmental impacts caused by illegal mining and tin trade activities. According to him, illegal mining practices not only result in economic losses for the state but also threaten ecosystem sustainability and the livelihoods of local communities.
“The damage caused by illegal mining can be far greater than we imagine. Its impact on the environment, ecosystems, and people’s lives will be felt in the long term,” he explained.
As a Professor in the Agribusiness Study Program at UIN Jakarta, Prof. Achmad explained that illegal mining activities have the potential to cause massive environmental destruction, including forest degradation, water pollution, abrasion, disruption of marine ecosystems, and threats to the livelihoods of coastal communities that depend on natural resources.
Therefore, he encouraged law enforcement authorities to impose stricter sanctions on perpetrators in order to create a deterrent effect and prevent similar practices from recurring.
“We, from academic circles concerned with the environment and agriculture, namely KASAI (Keluarga Alumni Sarjana Ekonomi Pertanian Agribisnis Indonesia) and PISPI (Perhimpunan Ikatan Sarjana Pertanian Indonesia), hope that law enforcement will be carried out firmly with heavier punishments to create a deterrent effect and serve as a warning to others who attempt to commit similar crimes,” he added.
Previously, a press conference regarding the arrest of two trucks suspected of transporting illegal tin sand was held on 12 May 2026 at the Indonesian Fleet Command Headquarters (Mako Koarmada RI). The trucks were allegedly transporting illegal tin sand through the Bakauheni–Merak ferry crossing route to Java Island.
The press conference was attended by several officials, including Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs General (Ret.) Djamhari Chaniago, Fleet Commander of the Republic of Indonesia, Deputy Commander of Kodaeral III, Assistant for Operations to the Chief of Naval Staff, BAIS Task Force representatives, Deputy for Intelligence Prevention at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, and the Director of Specific Criminal Investigation of the Indonesian National Police.