CUSTOMS officials padlocked the gate to the Hobros (Hokiato Bersaudara) warehouse in the Cilincing area of Tanjung Priok, Jakarta after uncovering thousands of tons of illegal sugar. Two weeks ago, the seals appeared as if they were only haphazardly stuck on the sacks of sugar from Thailand, which were neatly stacked inside.

A fortnight later, much has changed. A wide-open space now exists in the middle of the mountain of sugar. Customs officials