Customs Still Tracing Mastermind Behind 3.053-Tonne Pangolin Scale Smuggling

JAKARTA — The head of Bea Cukai Tanjung Priok Type A, Adhang Noegroho Adhi, said authorities are still tracing the parties involved in the smuggling of 3,053 kilograms of pangolin scales thwarted at Tanjung Priok Port. ‘For the perpetrators, we are conducting a deeper investigation because, in fact, this is their first export. So we still need time to trace who the perpetrators are and so on,’ he said at a press conference at the Tanjung Priok Port Customs office on Wednesday 4 March 2026. He explained that in the Export Declaration (PEB) documents, the export destination lists Cambodia, but they are still examining the exporter who filed the documents. Adhang noted that, based on initial tracing, the company is new to exporting. ‘So, for information about where the goods originated, it is not yet specific. But generally, pangolins are distributed in tropical rainforest and lowland areas in Southeast Asia,’ he said. The BKSDA will check reports from other district offices to see if there have been reports of pangolins disappearing from ecosystems. ‘We in Jakarta do not have habitats for pangolins, but this is a gateway for trade—both an exit and entry point,’ he added. Previously, Bea Cukai Tanjung Priok thwarted the smuggling of pangolin scales (Manis javanica) totaling 3 tonnes valued at Rp183 billion intended for Cambodia. Adhang said the illegal export of protected wildlife began when Customs analysed the container scans. ‘We conducted an analysis of the Pemberitahuan Ekspor Barang (PEB) reported by PT TSR. The declaration included two items: Sea Cucumber and Instant Noodles. However, three sections were found, suggesting some goods were not declared in the export,’ he said during the press conference at Bea Cukai Pelabuhan Tanjung Priok on Wednesday 4 March 2026. From the container inspection on Wednesday 18 February 2026, the front section was filled with instant noodle cartons, while the back contained 99 cartons of pangolin scales. Adhang explained that pangolin scales are believed to have a sale value of around Rp60 million per kilogram. ‘The 3,053 kilograms of pangolin scales have an estimated value of around Rp60 million per kilogram, resulting in a total value of about Rp183 billion,’ he stated. The findings were coordinated with the BKSDA Jakarta for identification. Based on initial checks by the forest ecosystem control team and forestry police from BKSDA Jakarta, the scales are strongly suspected to be pangolin parts, a protected species.