JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com — Sixty tons of amonium nitrate explosives were found being smuggled into Indonesia. Luckily, the Customs Directorate General managed to thwart the attempt and confiscate the dangerous explosives.
According to the customs spokesperson Evi Suhartantyo, Jakarta, Wednesday, the illegal explosives were about to penetrate Indonesia through Balai Karimun Cape, Riau Islands. The ship carrying the explosives, the Pratama Jaya (with Indonesian flag), has been determined to have departed from Malaysia on March 16, 2010.
The explosives were packed into 2,400 bags, each containing 25 kilograms. The 14 crew members and ship's captain, Syukur, have been detained. They intended to smuggle the explosives to Ambon, Maluku, and Kendari (Southeast Sulawesi).
The explosives could have cost the state up to Rp. 3 billion, besides the threat on security and safety if the explosives were used by irresposible parties.
On the other hand, Indonesia has the potential to export amonium nitrate starting from 2011. Currently there are two amonium nitrate factories under construction in Bontang. PT Kaltim Nitrate Indonesia and PT Rekayasa Industri since June 3, 2009, have also cooperated to build an amonium nitrate factory with a capacity of 300,000 tons per year.
Indonesia has been relying on imports for this particular chemical, while actually the need for this chemical grows at 10 percent per year. Therefore, amonium nitrate factories will be a great advantage, if only the factories can start producing by 2011. Amonium nitrate is used for mining and defense. (Orin Basuki/C17-09)
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