Seven Ships Smuggling Sand to Singapore Seized
The Indonesian navy has impounded seven ships that were attempting to smuggle thousands of tons of sea sand to Singapore, the state-run Antara news agency said.
Col. Adyaman As told the agency that the ships did not have proper documentation to export the sand from the Indonesian province of Riau, a few miles from Singapore.
The smuggling of sand has caused a diplomatic row between the two countries in recent months. Singapore reportedly needs the sand to expand its territory.
Indonesian officials say the loss of so much sand is fast becoming an environmental headache.
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