Dili, 07 April 2026 (Média Democracia) – PNTL spokesperson, Superintendent Chief of Police João Belo dos Reis reports that on Friday, April 3, 2026, an illicitl case occurred in the border area where a member of FALINTIL – Timor-Leste Defense Force (F-FDTL) and a PNTL official were suspected of smuggling an RX-King motorcycle into Dili.
The incident happened around 4 pm, where a joint team received police information from the National Intelligence Service (SNI), and F-FDTL detected some transportation movements carrying contraband from the border into Dili capital, the team followed up and found that some soldiers from F-FDTL were facilitating transactions for illicit activities.
“The PNTL member involved in this activity is SP, and the armed forces member from the Naval Component is ED, we secured them on the spot, and with the evidence, a process was initiated with number NUC 0117/2026-PNSIK, which has been presented to the Public Ministry.” said PNTL spokesperson, Superintendent Chief of Police João Belo dos Reis to journalists through a press conference at the General Command on Tuesday (07/04/2026).
He added that according to information collected by the police, the PNTL member is from the Maritime Police Unit and is directly involved in the process.
“After we opened the investigation, we detected that the two are family, related and the colleague took the car to use it without informing him, and he had no knowledge of it. Later, when the car reached the border, the owner didn’t know the police had seized it, that’s when he found out.” added PNTL spokesperson, Superintendent Chief of Police.
The Superintendent Chief of Police explains, the car was only carrying an RX-King motorcycle, and the car with the motorcycle has been presented to the Public Ministry as evidence, which falls under the category of contraband.
The spokesperson reports, the items were brought in by PNTL and armed forces members through Palaka Batugade, then the information team detected it stopped there, but the joint team asked the car carrying the motorcycle to cooperate, but they didn’t, so they followed and managed to enter Dili capital before being apprehended in Dili.
According to available information, the car was also carrying air guns and bird guns, but when the joint team stopped the car, there was only the motorcycle inside, no other items.
“The investigation is still ongoing to track down other items we’re suspicious about, so they can be secured.” informs PNTL spokesperson, Superintendent Chief of Police.
The spokesperson afirms that for this case, PNTL considers it a flagrant crime, because when PNTL and F-FDTL members loaded the motorcycle into the car in the Palaka area, the joint team detected it and asked to cooperate but the driver didn’t.
The case is considered a flagrant crime, because when they entered, they were followed until Dili, and then they were apprehended and taken in.
”We’re currently investigating the PNTL member and the Naval Component member. We haven’t detained them, because we asked for guidance from the Public Ministry, and they instructed us to follow the normal process.” afirms the spokesperson.
However, the investigation into the PNTL member will continue, because the crime process is still ongoing.
On this occasion, the PNTL spokesperson stresses that to prevent illicit activities at the border, the Commander General has instructed the UPF and UPM Commands and intelligence services to work better, focusing on border areas to prevent contraband illicit activities happening along the borderline.
In the same venue, the Deputy Commander General of PNTL, Assistant Commissioner Natércia Eufrazia Soares Martins, states that the case of smuggling contraband also involves a member of FALINTIL-Defense Forces of Timor-Leste (F-FDTL) from the Naval, and their command has been informed and is aware.
Meanwhile, the orientation from the PNTL General Command is for each to take responsibility in their respective Units, Departments, and Municipalities, to know their duties, as written in the laws.
“How to manage the resources we have to focus on their mission, whether at the border or anywhere else, is now a key focus for each commander to take responsibility for their members’ discipline, in executing their duties, following through to achieve results, presenting reports, recognizing good work, and taking action and processing sanctions for those whose work doesn’t show proper conduct.” says Deputy Commander General of PNTL, Assistant Commissioner Natércia Eufrazia to journalists at PNTL General Command Caicoli.
The Deputy Commander General of PNTL, Assistant Commissioner, also adds that for this case, it’s currently with the Criminal Investigation team who know the procedures to process it.
The Deputy Commander also states that if one or two individuals go against their duties, there’s a strong rule to apply, but following the procedure.
“The Command is updated 24/7 with reports from the field, so the Command knows what’s happening, and you all know that the Law speaks clearly, especially for members performing their duties as security authorities, particularly PNTL’s role.” adds Deputy Commander General of PNTL, Assistant Commissioner Natércia Eufrazia.
The primary role is to educate people to comply with the Law, obliging them to understand the Law. Beyond that, if one or two individuals go against their duties, there’s a strong rule to apply, but following the procedure.
Report By: Estefania
Photo By: Estefania