Government thwarts 1.38 kg pangolin scale illegal trade in West Kalimantan

Head of the Kalimantan Forestry Law Enforcement Agency Leonardo Gultom confirmed on Monday that officers had detained a suspect identified as HLY along with evidence consisting of 1.38 kg of pangolin scales and a mobile phone.

“This action is part of our commitment to protecting Indonesia’s biological resources from the poaching and trade of protected animals, including their body parts. We will not tolerate crimes against protected wildlife,” he said.

Gultom added that the operation against HLY was aimed at curbing the illegal hunting and trade of pangolin scales in West Kalimantan and other regions.

He explained that the case was uncovered based on information from the public, which was followed by an inspection at a guesthouse in Sintang District. Officers found 1.38 kg of pangolin scales stored in a black plastic bag under the suspect’s control.

The investigation found that HLY arrived in Pontianak on February 19 and traveled to Sintang District on February 23 to obtain pangolin scales. The suspect admitted to becoming acquainted with a pangolin scale trading network through social media.

HLY is suspected of violating the Conservation of Biological Natural Resources and Ecosystems Law, which prohibits storing, possessing, transporting, and/or trading specimens or parts of protected animals. The offense carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a fine of up to Rp30 billion (approximately US$1.7 million).

“We will enforce the law to the fullest extent under the latest provisions. Wildlife crimes are serious offenses that disrupt ecosystem balance. We will charge the suspect under Law Number 32 of 2024, with criminal penalties as stipulated in Law Number 1 of 2026,” Gultom said.

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Translator: Prisca Triferna V, Resinta Sulistiyandari