Two Chinese Men Arrested for Attempting to Smuggle Gold Bars to Singapore Indonesian National Police

inp.polri.go.id - Manado. An attempt to smuggle 16 gold bars suspected of being illegally mined abroad through Sam Ratulangi Airport in Manado, North Sulawesi, was successfully thwarted by police. Two foreign nationals from China were apprehended during the operation. The 16 gold bars, weighing approximately 16 kilograms in total, were found by officers in two suitcases belonging to the two foreign nationals. The gold is suspected to have originated from illegal mining activities and was intended for transport to Singapore before being transferred to Hong Kong. "Officers successfully thwarted an attempt to smuggle 16 gold bars, suspected of being unlicensed and originating from illegal mining. The gold was intended to be transported abroad by two foreign nationals from China," said the Head of Public Relations of the North Sulawesi Regional Police, Senior Superintendent Alamsyah P. Hasibuan, in Manado on Saturday (9/5/2026). The case was uncovered based on information received by the North Sulawesi Regional Police's URC Team on Friday (September 4, 2026). The information alleges that gold was being smuggled through Sam Ratulangi Airport, bound for Singapore, and then onward to Hong Kong. Following this information, a joint team coordinated with Sam Ratulangi Airport authorities to conduct monitoring and surveillance. At approximately 12:00 p.m., two suitcases belonging to the suspects were X-rayed. Officers then conducted a more in-depth inspection with airport staff. As a result, officers discovered 16 gold bars inside the suitcases. The two suspects, identified as XQI and XQU, both Chinese nationals, were immediately detained. Initial questioning revealed that they were ordered by someone identified as H to transport the gold, suspected to be from illegal mining, out of Indonesia. In addition to the 16 gold bars weighing approximately 16 kilograms, police also seized several pieces of evidence. These included two passports, four identification cards, two Manado-Singapore boarding passes, two Singapore-Hong Kong boarding passes, five cell phones, two suitcases, and Rp 5 million in cash. In this case, the suspects are charged under Article 161 of Law Number 3 of 2020 concerning Amendments to Law Number 4 of 2009 concerning Mineral and Coal Mining. They face a maximum prison sentence of five years and a fine of up to IDR 100 billion. Currently, both suspects and all evidence have been secured by the North Sulawesi Regional Police for further questioning and investigation. (ad/ad/pr/rs)