Chinese Nationals Arrested for Distributing Illegal Pearls in Lombok
- VIVA.co.id/Satria Zulfikar (Mataram)
Lombok, VIVA – Several Chinese nationals were raided by the Mataram Class I TPI Immigration Office for allegedly selling illegal pearls from China in Lombok.
The raid took place at two villas in the Senggigi area, West Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), on Monday (Oct 7).
The pearls are believed to have originated from China and were intentionally sold to tourists visiting Lombok.
Yogi Febrian, the Head of the Intelligence and Immigration Enforcement Subsection, confirmed the raid, but stated that further details could not be disclosed as investigations are still ongoing.
Sebuah vila diduga tempat WNA China menjual mutiara ilegal (Satria)
- VIVA.co.id/Satria Zulfikar (Mataram)
"Yes, the raid on the Chinese nationals is correct. We are still in the process of investigating," he said.
As known, the raid resulted from reports from the Lombok Pearl Craftsmen Traders Association, which had grown increasingly concerned about the presence of Chinese nationals selling pearls illegally.
Edi Gunarto, the Deputy Chairman of the Lombok Pearl Craftsmen Traders Association, expressed that they initially hoped these foreign nationals would collaborate to market their products.
However, the increasing number of Chinese nationals selling pearls, allegedly sourced from China, has caused concern.
"Many pearl buyers from China are being exploited by these foreigners to sell pearls that do not originate from Lombok.
They are generally tourists who also buy pearls. This moment is being exploited by traders from China, but it is suspected to be against the rules," he remarked.
Gunarto added, “If they were collaborating with local pearl traders, it might not have had such an impact,"
The surge in illegal pearl sales from China is reportedly affecting local pearl sales, with local pearl prices plummeting by 40 to 70 percent due to the influx of foreign pearls.
He revealed that there are still many locations in Senggigi where Chinese pearls are being sold, but he has left the investigation to the Immigration Office.
"There are actually many points where they are selling pearls from China, and they are scattered across several villas in Senggigi. But we have handed everything over to the officials and law enforcement," he concluded.
