Ditpolair Polri Uncovers Lobster Seed Smuggling Case in Serang

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Directorate of Water Police of the Korpolairud Water and Air Mobile Brigade of the Indonesian National Police has uncovered a fisheries criminal case involving the illegal smuggling of lobster seeds (BBL) in the Serang area, Banten.

Director of Polair Korpolairud Baharkam Polri, Brigadier General I Made Sukawijaya, in a statement received in Jakarta on Tuesday, said that the case was revealed on Thursday (9/4) after receiving a report from the public.

“Information from the public regarding the activity of shipping and storing illegal BBL from the West Java and Central Java regions to Serang,” he said.

After receiving the information, the team immediately moved and investigated a house in the Nancang Jaya Indah Housing complex, Serang.

At the house, officers found illegal storage and packaging activities for BBL.

A total of five suspects were secured, with initials AMH, N, CW, AF, and AJ.

From the location, officers also seized around 47,000 BBL tails as well as several pieces of evidence in the form of holding ponds, water cooling equipment, oxygen tanks, styrofoam, two motorcycles, and one car.

Based on estimates, this revelation has succeeded in saving potential state losses of around Rp705,000,000, assuming the economic value of lobster seeds in the black market.

Made said that the suspects are charged under Article 92 in conjunction with Article 26 paragraph (1) of Law Number 45 of 2009 on Fisheries, as amended, with a maximum prison sentence of eight years and a maximum fine of Rp1.5 billion.

“Currently, investigators are carrying out further legal processes, including witness examinations, coordination with fisheries experts, and completing the case file to be immediately handed over to the public prosecutor,” he said.

He also emphasised that this revelation is part of the Indonesian National Police’s ongoing efforts to eradicate illegal practices that harm the state and threaten the preservation of marine resources.

“We are committed to firmly addressing all forms of fisheries criminal acts, especially the smuggling of BBL which has the potential to damage ecosystems and harm the national economy. This success is also inseparable from the role of the public in providing information,” he said.