25 arrested in Batam over alleged illegal import of used clothes

The Batam Island authorities in the Riau Islands have arrested 25 people for allegedly importing secondhand clothes illegally, as the government intensifies its crackdown on the booming thrift-ing business.

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The Barelang police, which oversee Batam Island, said the suspects were arrested during a raid on Nov 8 at a storage unit in Tanjung Uncang, Batam City.

Barelang police chief Zaenal Arifin said over the weekend: “We conducted the raid after receiving tips from the public about suspected unloading of imported used goods without official documents. When officers arrived, they found workers moving large bundles of secondhand clothes into the warehouse.”

Senior Commissioner Zaenal said officers discovered two containers filled with large sacks of used clothes, as well as three lorries prepared to distribute the items to local markets. He added that the 25 suspects arrested were lorry drivers and labourers working at the facility.

Mr Zaenal emphasised that the operation reflects the police’s commitment to enforcing the law and curbing the circulation of illegally imported goods that could disrupt the local economy.

“The Barelang police will take firm action against any legal violations, especially those that could cause financial losses to the state,” Mr Zaenal said.