Ministry of Forestry foils illegal trafficking of 1.38 kg of pangolin scales in West Kalimantan
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Directorate General of Law Enforcement of the Ministry of Forestry has successfully uncovered illegal trafficking of 1.38 kilograms (kg) of pangolin scales (Manis javanica), a protected species, in Sintang District, West Kalimantan.
Leonardo Gultom, Head of the Forestry Law Enforcement Centre for the Kalimantan Region of the Ministry of Forestry, stated in a confirmation from Jakarta on Monday that his team had secured suspect HLY along with evidence comprising 1.38 kg of pangolin scales and one mobile telephone.
“This firm action represents part of our commitment to protecting Indonesia’s natural wealth from poaching and illegal wildlife trading practices, including parts of protected animals. We will not permit space for offenders against protected wildlife,” he said.
He explained that action against suspect HLY represents a step towards breaking the chain of poaching and illegal trading of pangolin scales within and outside the West Kalimantan region.
Based on investigation findings, suspect HLY arrived in Pontianak on Thursday, 19 February, from East Java. Subsequently, on Monday, 23 February, HLY travelled to Sintang to source pangolin scale supplies. HLY admitted to becoming acquainted with the pangolin scale trafficking network through social media.
For these actions, HLY is suspected of committing an offence under the Law on the Conservation of Biological Natural Resources and Ecosystems, which prohibits any person from keeping, possessing, transporting, and/or trading specimens, parts, or goods made from parts of protected wildlife, with a maximum prison sentence of 15 years and fines of up to 30 billion rupiah.
“Law enforcement will be carried out to the maximum extent in accordance with the latest regulations; crimes against wildlife are serious offences that damage ecological balance. The suspect will face charges carrying heavier penalties in accordance with Law Number 32 of 2024 and penalty adjustments under Law Number 1 of 2026,” Leonardo Gultom stated.