Criminal Investigation Agency Investigation Mobile Team The Polri (Resmob Bareskrim Polri) held a press conference regarding the seizure of 14 tons of imported lamb carcasses in Cikupa, Tangerang.

progresifjaya.co.id, JAKARTA – The Criminal Investigation Agency Investigation Mobile Team The Polri (Resmob Bareskrim Polri) has uncovered a shady practice involving the circulation of expired imported lamb carcasses, which were to be marketed to the public ahead of Eid al-Fitr 2026. Nearly 14 tons of imported lamb carcasses from Australia were seized and four suspects were arrested.

The Head of the Resmib Bareskrim Polri, Kombes Pol Teuku Arsya Khadafi stated in an official statement, that the disclosure stemmed from public reports regarding the alleged sale of imported lamb carcasses that had passed their expiration date. The information came in on March 4, 2026.

“We received this information when public demand for meat was quite high ahead of Eid,” said Kombes Pol Arsya during a press conference in Cikupa, Tangerang, Banten, on Monday, March 16, 2026.

Based on the information received, the Bareskrim team immediately conducted surveillance and successfully seized three trucks carrying expired imported lamb carcasses totaling approximately 9 tons. The meat was planned to be distributed to distributors for sale to the public.

Following this, further investigation was carried out, and finally, the storage warehouses in the Poris Block B1 Batuceper area and on Jalan Serang No. 8, Cikupa, Tangerang, were searched. At these two locations, additional expired meat was found.

The Head of Sub-Directorate I of the Bareskrim Polri, Kombes Pol Setyo K. Heriyatno added, that the total amount of expired imported lamb carcasses seized reached 12.913.04 kilograms, or approximately 12,9 tons. All the evidence was obtained from the cargo of three box trucks and meat stocks stored in two warehouses in the Tangerang area. Evidence of the sale of some expired meat to buyers totaling 107,98 kilograms was also found.

“Ten witnesses in this case have been questioned, including the seller, intermediary, buyer, and driver and assistant who transported the goods. As a result, four people have been named as suspects,” explained Kombes Pol Setyo.

The four suspects in this case are IY as the seller, T as the intermediary or broker, AR as the intermediary or broker, and SS as the buyer who then resold the meat.

Kombes Pol Setyo also explained, that suspect IY obtained imported lamb from Australia in 2022, purchasing a total of approximately 24 tons from the importing company. Approximately 10 tons of the meat has already been sold. There were approximately 14 tons remaining, with an expiration date of April 2024.

From February to March 2026, suspect IY, along with two intermediaries, T and AR, sold some of the remaining expired meat to suspect SS, totaling 1,6 tons at Rp50.000 per kilogram. The total transaction value reached Rp80,6 million.

Next, Kombes Pol Setyo explained, SS resold some of the meat to traders at Kebayoran Lama Market, South Jakarta, for Rp81 000 to Rp85.000 per kilogram.

“The meat, which was known to be expired, was sold into Kebayoran Lama Market through several people so they could still make a profit,” said Kombes Pol Setyo.

Meanwhile, it was discovered that suspect IY planned to ship approximately 9 tons of the remaining expired lamb carcasses to the Kosambi area of Tangerang using three trucks. However, this time, they were unlucky. Their operation was quickly intercepted by the Resmob Bareskrim Polri.

Laboratory Testing

Based on the findings of expired lamb carcasses from Australia, investigators from the Resmob Bareskrim Polri coordinated with the Directorate General of Animal Husbandry and Animal Health at the Ministry of Agriculture to conduct laboratory tests on meat samples at the Animal Product Quality Testing and Certification Center. The laboratory test results confirmed that the confiscated meat was unfit for consumption.

“The organoleptic test results showed that the meat’s color was abnormal. It had a musty and rancid odor, not a typical meat odor. The pH level was also higher than normal due to prolonged storage,” said Kombes Pol Setyo.

“Therefore, the conclusion is that it cannot be distributed and is unfit for public consumption,” he added.

To be held accountable for their actions, the four suspects—IY, AR, T, and SS—have been charged under Article 8 paragraph (3) in conjunction with Article 62 paragraph (1) of Law Number 8 of 1999 concerning Consumer Protection. They were also charged under several articles in Law Number 18 of 2012 concerning Food and Law Number 7 of 2014 concerning Trade. The maximum penalty is five years in prison or a fine of up to Rp2 billion. (Bembo)