Indonesian Navy Thwarts Illegal Lobster Seed Smuggling in Cilacap

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Navy, through the Second Fleet Quick Response (SFQR) team of the Cilacap Naval Base (Lanal), thwarted the smuggling of Lobster Seedlings (BBL) in the area of Jalan Lingkar Timur, Karangkandri Village, Kesugihan Subdistrict, Cilacap Regency, on Saturday (18/4). In an official press release from the Indonesian Navy received in Jakarta on Monday, the uncovering of the smuggling attempt began with a patrol conducted by the SFQR team in the coastal area of Kesugihan Subdistrict, Cilacap Regency. The Head of the Indonesian Navy Information Service (Kadispenal), First Admiral Tunggul, explained that during the patrol, officers stopped one of the motorbike riders who was carrying a styrofoam box. The team immediately inspected the box and discovered hundreds of packaged lobster seedlings. “The SFQR team secured a man named Kasimin who is suspected of carrying BBL without official documents using a motorbike with a styrofoam box,” said Tunggul. Tunggul continued that the suspect along with the evidence was brought to the Cilacap Naval Base headquarters for further examination. A team from the Marine and Fisheries Resources Supervision (PSDKP) also came to the Cilacap Naval Base headquarters to examine the evidence. “Based on the examination results, the number of BBL secured was 5,859 individuals, consisting of sand and pearl types. Due to this finding, the state is estimated to suffer a potential loss of up to Rp2.5 billion,” explained Tunggul. The Indonesian Navy then handed over the suspect and the evidence to the PSDKP for further legal proceedings. Tunggul emphasised that this activity is proof of the Indonesian Navy’s commitment to eradicating illegal smuggling practices of Indonesia’s natural wealth. He assured that all personnel in the field will continue to enhance supervision to prevent illegal goods smuggling practices.