# Indonesian crackdown on illegal second-hand clothing imports

> Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/indonesian-crackdown-on-illegal-second-hand-clothing-imports
> Updated: 2026-10-31T08:16:01.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2.

Indonesian law enforcement agencies have conducted multiple operations to intercept illegal imports of second-hand clothing, locally referred to as “ballpres”. 

In late October 2026, police in West Java and North Sumatra seized large quantities of clothing stored in warehouses and transported via trucks. These operations, led by the Bareskrim Polri Economic and Special Crimes Directorate and the North Sumatra Regional Police, targeted shipments with significant estimated values, including a seizure in Subang valued at approximately Rp15 billion.

Simultaneously, the Indonesian Navy intercepted a smuggling attempt in the waters of Sebatik, Nunukan Regency. Smugglers reportedly used a multi-stage method to evade detection, transferring goods from a large speedboat from Malaysia to a small longboat designed to resemble local seaweed fishing vessels. While the cargo and longboat were seized, suspects fled toward Malaysian waters. The Navy has handed the case to the Nunukan Customs Office to investigate the broader distribution network.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-31: Indonesian Navy thwarts secondhand clothing smuggling in Nunukan

The Indonesian Navy seized 16 bales and six sacks of smuggled secondhand clothing in Nunukan, after suspects fled into Malaysian waters using a multi-stage transport method to evade detection.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/indonesian-navy-thwarts-secondhand-clothing-smuggling-in-nunukan

### 2026-10-29: Indonesian police seize illegal second-hand clothing imports

Indonesian police have seized large quantities of illegal second-hand clothing imports in West Java and North Sumatra, with total values reaching billions of rupiah.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/indonesian-police-seize-illegal-second-hand-clothing-imports

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Cite as: Indonesian crackdown on illegal second-hand clothing imports. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/indonesian-crackdown-on-illegal-second-hand-clothing-imports
