Fugitive in Timor deer poaching case in Komodo National Park arrested
The Ministry of Forestry, through its Civil Servant Investigators (PPNS), has arrested INS (33), one of the people on the wanted list (DPO) in the case of alleged Timor deer poaching using firearms in Komodo National Park (TN Komodo).
Head of the Forestry Law Enforcement Agency for the Java Bali Nusa Tenggara Region, Aswin Bangun, said in a written statement received in Bima on Friday that INS was detained on Wednesday (26/8) at around 8.05 p.m. local time in Sumi Village, Lambu District, Bima Regency, West Nusa Tenggara.
“Through coordination and synergy with the Puma Team of the Bima Kota Police Criminal Investigation Unit and with support from the West Manggarai Police, we succeeded in securing one of the DPOs who had previously fled,” Aswin said.
INS was arrested after almost nine months on the run, having fled during an enforcement operation against a group of hunters suspected of poaching wildlife and putting up armed resistance against officers in December 2025.
After his arrest, INS was taken to the Bima Kota Police station before being transferred for further processing in Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara.
INS is suspected of being one of the members of a group that poached Timor deer at Loh Laju Pemali on Komodo Island on 13 December 2025.
The case came to light when the Forestry Law Enforcement Agency for the Java Bali Nusa Tenggara Region, together with the police, carried out an enforcement operation against suspected wildlife poaching activities in the Komodo National Park area.
During the operation, officers found a motorboat believed to have been used by the poaching group. When officers attempted to stop the vessel, the group allegedly resisted using firearms, leading to an exchange of gunfire with officers.
INS and several other members of the group fled and were placed on the wanted list. Investigators then carried out further examination and tracking to determine their whereabouts.
Preliminary examination of INS indicated suspected involvement in Timor deer poaching activities in the Komodo National Park area.
Investigators are also still looking into INS’s suspected involvement in the resistance against officers during the enforcement operation.
For his alleged actions, INS is charged with violating Article 40A paragraph (1) letter d in conjunction with Article 21 paragraph (2) letter a of Law Number 32 of 2024 concerning Amendments to Law Number 5 of 1990 concerning Conservation of Biological Natural Resources and Their Ecosystems, in conjunction with Article 55 paragraph (1) point 1 of the Criminal Code.
In addition, investigators are applying statutory provisions relating to firearms possession.
“Law enforcement in this case continues to be developed to uncover all parties involved,” he said.
Director General of Forestry Law Enforcement Dwi Januanto Nugroho said the protection of Komodo National Park is part of efforts to safeguard biodiversity and the ecosystem of the conservation area.
He said Timor deer play an important role in the Komodo National Park ecosystem, including as part of the food chain that supports the existence of the komodo dragon.
“The Ministry of Forestry will continue to strengthen security in conservation areas and law enforcement against any threat that damages Indonesia’s natural wealth,” he said.
The Ministry of Forestry stated that it will continue to strengthen security in the Komodo National Park area and law enforcement against illegal activities that threaten wildlife and the ecosystem of the conservation area.