Many industries in Indonesia are known for having so-called “mafia” groups that profit from illegal practices such as price-fixing. There’s said to be an oil and gas mafia (mafia migas), a football mafia, a rice mafia and even a garlic mafia. Last year, the Ministry of Agriculture estimated that the garlic mafia could be making a staggering IDR19 trillion (US$1.3 billion) in profits per year.
Who knew there was so much money to be made from the stinky seasoning? Indonesia’s Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), for one. The independent anti-graft agency announced today that they had carried out an undercover operation related to illicit garlic import practices, leading to them securing 11 potential suspects.
KPK Chairman Agus Rahardjo said the operation was conducted last night at around 9:30pm.
“That’s right, last night starting at 9:30pm West Indonesia Time there was an active operation in Jakarta, 11 people had been secured at the KPK Building,” Agus said today, as quoted by CNN Indonesia.
Although the KPK has not revealed the identities of any of the 11 they secured, Agus did say that one of them was a member of the House of Representatives (DPR). Others included drivers and import businessmen.
Agus said that KPK officials found proof of an IDR2 billion transfer related to their investigation. He also said that the DPR member was found with a large amount of US currency believed to have been involved in the illicit garlic scheme.
Agus said that more details about the bust would be revealed at a press conference this evening.
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