Thousands of boxes of liquor seized from warehouse (18 Nov 2008)

The Jakarta Post, November 18, 2008
Markus Makur, The Jakarta Post, Timika

Mimika police and regency administration have conducted raids on three alcohol distributors after military officers captured two trucks loaded with illegal liquor leaving Pomako port in Mimka, Papua.

Several officials joined the raids with officers from the 20 Ima Jaya brigade infantry, including Mimika acting regent Athanasius Allo Rafra, Mimika legislative council chairman Yoseph Yopi Kilangin, Timika navy-based commander Leut. Col. Ribut Eko Suyatno, administration chief of 20 IJK brigade infantry Leut. Col. Hamdan Bogra and Mimika police deputy chief Comr. Jeremias Runtini.

While alcohol is not illegal in the region, Rafra said the illegal distribution of liquor had negatively impacted on people's lives. He said in Timika recently some residents were killed following incidences involving alcohol and crime was increasing as illegally sold liquor expanded across the region.

The raids began at Lim Jafar's warehouse on the Timika-Pomako route, where thousands of boxes containing unlabeled, illegal liquor such as Bir Bintang, Guiness, Vodka, Mansion, Tonn Stanless were found. A second bust on a warehouse belonging to Titi Teguh also uncovered hundreds of boxes containing illegal liquor.

A dispute erupted following the last raid on Ronny Gosal's warehouse, where liquor and wine were found, because the owner produced a permit allegedly issued to him by the provincial administration that allowed him to distribute alcohol. Acting regent Rafra disputed the legitimacy of the permit, saying the Mimika administration had not issued any permits for over two years.

The police were summoned to conduct further investigations into the illegal activities of the businessmen, and any proceeds they may have made from the crimes. Rafra also instructed police to seize the liquor and store it as evidence. Mimika police deputy chief Comr. Jeremias Rontini said his office would directly examine the cases and prepare their conclusions for a trial.

Meanwhile, the two drivers of the seized vehicles containing the illegal liquor, Amir and Iskandar, claimed they were being escorted by police officers while transporting the liquor from the port to the warehouses. The two men argued that as workers, they had no idea about the content of the trucks and simply transported the goods to the nominated addresses.