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View all search resultsFour arrested for allegedly stealing radioactive scrap metal in Cikande
More than 1,130 tonnes of contaminated scrap metal were stored at the steel melting plant PT Peter Metal Technology (PMT) after the government detected widespread radioactive pollution in the area and carried out decontamination measures.
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Hidden hazard: Members of the cesium-137 (Cs-137) task force wear hazmat suits on Oct. 2, 2025, as they carry out a cleanup operation at the Modern Cikande Industrial Estate (MCIE) in Serang, Banten. The government has designated the MCIE as a special radiation incident area after two weeks of intensive investigation and decontamination. All activities at the industrial estate have now been placed under the task force’s control to ensure thorough, measured and safe handling to protect the environment and public health. (Antara/Angga Budhiyanto)
T
he Cikande Police in Banten have arrested four people for allegedly stealing 200 kilograms of scrap metal contaminated with radioactive cesium-137 (Cs-137) from a temporary isolation facility in the Modern Cikande Industrial Estate.
More than 1,130 tonnes of contaminated scrap metal were stored at the steel melting plant PT Peter Metal Technology (PMT) after the government detected widespread radioactive pollution in the area and carried out decontamination measures. The material was kept in the recently shuttered company while authorities awaited the construction of a permanent storage site for the hazardous waste.
Cikande Police chief Tatang said the crime was allegedly initiated by one of PMT’s security guards, identified only as SM.
“SM asked several people, including a company forklift operator, to steal the contaminated scrap metal and sell it to a nearby scrap collector,” he said on Thursday, as quoted by CNN Indonesia.
Tatang said the group allegedly stole the metal in stages starting in October to avoid detection. When authorities discovered the missing scraps, SM reported the incident to the police to divert suspicion. However, investigators later found he had allegedly orchestrated the theft.
Tatang said the four individuals have been officially named suspects and are now being questioned at the Serang Police station.
“We are investigating whether others were involved in the alleged theft,” he said.
