Shallot, garlic smuggling attempt foiled in N. Sumatra

Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Medan | Archipelago | Sun, March 17 2013, 6:55 AM

Officers from the North Sumatra Customs and Excise Office have foiled an attempt to smuggle 9 tons of shallot onions and garlic from Malaysia, a haul that was worth approximately Rp 360 million.

Customs officers also took possession of the boat that was used to transport the food items, and the vessel's captain has been arrested.

North Sumatra Customs and Excise investigative chief Ogi Febri Adhla said the shallots and garlic had been smuggled into the country in an attempt to gain maximum financial benefits in light of the fact that prices of the two commodities have surged recently due to harvest failures.

“There were no supporting documents for these commodities and, therefore, it was a clear violation of the law,” Ogi said on Saturday.(dic)