Three middlemen arrested for customs fraud

JAKARTA: Tanjung Priok customs and excise officers arrested on Friday three middlemen for allegedly deceiving an importer, identified as PT DBS, kompas.com reported.

According to the port’s customs office public relations head, Agus Rofiudin, the three men, referred to by their initials as JND, ST and ABR, had promised to help PT DPS to have its imported forklifts released but only after the company paid the customs officials bribery money worth Rp 125 million (US$13,157).

The customs office withheld the release of the forklifts imported by DBS. In the documents, the company stated that the forklifts were brand new, but examination by customs officers found the heavy machinery were in fact second-hand. To import used machinery, according to Agus, the company should have secured a permit from the Trade Ministry and a clearance letter from an export surveyor in the exporting country.

“The middlemen offered their services to issue a letter signed by the official,” said Agus, adding that the police would proceed with the investigation.