Joint Task Force Foils Smuggling of 100 Protected Animals from Papua at Tanjung Priok

A joint team consisting of the Directorate General of Forestry Law Enforcement of the Ministry of Forestry, the Police Criminal Investigation Agency’s Supervisory Corps (Korwas PPNS Bareskrim Polri), and the Military Police Centre (Puspom) has thwarted the illegal trafficking of 100 protected wild animals originating from Papua at the Tanjung Priok Port area in Jakarta. The enforcement action took place on 6-7 June 2026 after officers received information about a shipment of protected wildlife heading to Jakarta by sea. All secured animals have been evacuated and are being cared for at the Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) Rescue Centre in Tegal Alur, Jakarta, where they are undergoing health checks and treatment.

The confiscated animals consist of various endemic bird species from Papua, including four eclectus parrots (Eclectus roratus), two sulphur-crested cockatoos (Cacatua galerita), 19 black-capped lories (Lorius lory), six black lories (Chalcopsitta atra), 14 Victoria crowned pigeons (Goura victoria), three wompoo fruit doves (Ptilinopus magnificus), 19 masked finches (Neochmia phaeton), two Pesquet’s parrots (Psittrichas fulgidus), three brown lories (Chalcopsitta duivenbodei), and 28 rainbow lorikeets (Trichoglossus haematodus).

During the case development, the team also detained two individuals with the initials BI and ZF for questioning. A number of the animals were found to be without valid ownership or transport documents. Rudianto Saragih Napitu, Director of Forestry Crime Investigation, stated that the case is being handled by ensuring the safety of the animals while maintaining the integrity of legal evidence. “These animals are living evidence, so they must be handled quickly, carefully, and thoroughly documented. In addition to ensuring the animals receive care, we are also securing documents, witness statements, and tracing the distribution route to uncover the parties involved,” he said on Monday (15/6). He added that investigators will continue to develop the case to reach the actors playing a role in the protected wildlife trade network, not stopping merely at the carriers or transporters.

Meanwhile, Director General of Forestry Law Enforcement Dwi Januanto Nugroho assessed that the illegal trade in protected wildlife has now evolved into an organised business utilising inter-regional and even cross-border logistics routes. “The pattern is cross-regional and can be connected to international networks. Therefore, it is handled through a multi-door approach and inter-agency cooperation. We are also strengthening financial tracking with PPATK and opening the possibility of cooperation with Interpol if cross-border network involvement is found,” he said. He added that surveillance of habitats and poaching-prone points in source areas will continue to be tightened to prevent illegal hunting. The trade and transport of protected wild animals is a criminal offence as stipulated in Law Number 5 of 1990 concerning Conservation of Natural Resources and Ecosystems, which has been amended through Law Number 32 of 2024. Perpetrators face a minimum prison sentence of three years and a maximum of 15 years, along with applicable criminal fines. The Ministry of Forestry affirmed it will continue to strengthen supervision of logistics routes, enhance law enforcement, and trace wildlife trade networks to the parties profiting from these illegal activities. The government also urges the public not to buy, keep, or trade protected animals and to report any indications of illegal trade.