{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1679172,
        "msgid": "indonesian-police-arrest-six-for-komodo-dragon-smuggling-1776246674",
        "date": "2026-04-15 16:21:33",
        "title": "Indonesian police arrest six for Komodo dragon smuggling",
        "author": "",
        "source": "CNA",
        "tags": "Asia",
        "topic": "Legal",
        "summary": "Indonesian authorities have arrested six individuals for smuggling endangered Komodo dragons from East Nusa Tenggara province to Thailand, with the suspects having traded at least 20 of the reptiles since January last year for a profit of around US$33,000. The arrests followed the initial detention of two suspects in Surabaya in February with three live Komodo dragons, leading to further investigations that uncovered the smuggling network. This operation highlights the ongoing threats to the vulnerable species from poaching and illegal trade, as Komodo dragons are found only in Indonesia's Komodo National Park and neighbouring Flores island, facing risks from human activity and climate change.",
        "content": "<p>Indonesia police arrest six for Komodo dragon smuggling<\/p>\n<p>SURABAYA, Indonesia: Indonesian authorities said Wednesday (Apr 15)\nthey have arrested six people allegedly involved in smuggling endangered\nKomodo dragons native to the archipelago and destined for Thailand.<\/p>\n<p>Two suspects were arrested in February in the port city of Surabaya\non the east coast of Java island as they got off a ship with three live\nKomodo dragons - the world\u2019s largest living lizard.<\/p>\n<p>Further investigation led to four more arrests in the weeks that\nfollowed.<\/p>\n<p>Police said the animals had been obtained from \u201csuppliers or hunters\u201d\nin Indonesia\u2019s East Nusa Tenggara province, where they are native to a\nhandful of small islands.<\/p>\n<p>The suspects are accused of buying the dragons for 5.5 million rupiah\n(about US$320) apiece and selling them for six times the price,\napparently to be shipped to clients in Thailand.<\/p>\n<p>According to East Java police, the suspects have smuggled and traded\nat least 20 Komodo dragons since January last year, and pocketed some\nUS$33,000.<\/p>\n<p>They face up to five years in prison and a fine.<\/p>\n<p>The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists the Komodo\ndragon as endangered, with a global population of about 3,400, including\njuveniles.<\/p>\n<p>The fearsome reptiles, which can grow to three metres in length and\nweigh up to 90kg, are threatened by human activity and by climate change\ndestroying their habitat.<\/p>\n<p>Poachers collect them to be sold as pets or display animals.<\/p>\n<p>Komodo dragons in the wild are found only in Indonesia\u2019s World\nHeritage-listed Komodo National Park and on neighbouring Flores\nisland.<\/p>\n<p>Police said Wednesday they had also arrested two suspects for\nsmuggling 140 kilogrammes of pangolin scales from the northwestern\nprovince of Riau to Surabaya.<\/p>\n<p>Pangolins are among the world\u2019s most endangered species, and their\nscales are prized in countries like China and Vietnam, where they are\nused in traditional remedies even though they provide no scientifically\nproven medicinal benefit.<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/indonesian-police-arrest-six-for-komodo-dragon-smuggling-1776246674",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}