REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- The Indonesian Police's criminal investigation unit (Bareskrim) has arrested three suspected garlic smugglers and hoarders in the capital Jakarta.

"On May 16, Bareskrim had raided a warehouse on the Marunda Street of North Jakarta," Brigadier General Agung Setya, director for special economic crimes, stated here, Wednesday.

The warehouse is the property of PT TPI, and it stores more than 182 tons of garlic.

The three suspects are identified as the warehouse owner, the owner of imported garlic, and a driver.

According to a preliminary investigation, the garlic stocks were allegedly imported illegally from China and India.

"The garlic stocks were imported by two companies -- PT NBM and PT LBU -- since April," he said.

The police suspected that the hoarders would wait for the garlic price to soar before selling the commodity.

The case will be investigated in accordance with Law No. 7 of 2014 on trade and Law No. 16 of 1992 on animal and plant quarantine. 

The Trade Ministry had earlier affirmed that it will take stern measures against price speculators and hoarders of basic necessities, especially before the fasting month and those who make unfair profits.

Minister of Trade Enggartiasto Lukita said the firm action is being taken in cooperation with the police and the Food Task Force.

Since the start of 2017, the price of garlic has increased, with the average national price of Rp50,680 per kg, up 31.5 percent as compared to Rp38,554 per kg in January.

The government has stated that until the end of May 2017, additional supply of garlic, reaching 7,672 tons, will be available especially in Jakarta, Surabaya, and several other big cities.

Currently, the price of garlic at the consumer level is expected to be no more than Rp38 thousand per kg. The government will take stern measures against importers selling garlic above its maximum price set by the government.

The minister said garlic importers and distributors were required to report the amount of their garlic stocks to the ministry. 

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