Police Bust Smuggling of 47,000 Lobster Seedlings in Serang
The Directorate of Water and Air Police (Ditpolair) of the Korpolairud Baharkam of the Indonesian National Police has uncovered a case of smuggling lobster seedlings (BBL) in the Serang area, Banten. Police arrested five suspects.
The Director of Polair Korpolairud Baharkam of the Indonesian National Police, Brigadier General I Made Sukawijaya, stated that the uncovering was carried out after receiving information from the public regarding activities of shipping and storing illegal lobster seedlings from West Java and Central Java to Serang.
“The team then conducted an investigation at a house in the Nancang Jaya Indah Housing complex, Serang City. During the raid, officers found illegal storage and repackaging activities of lobster seedlings,” said Sukawijaya in a written statement on Tuesday (14/4/2026).
The suspects secured were AMH, N, CW, AF, and AJ. Police then secured 47,000 lobster seedlings.
“From the location, officers successfully secured around 47,000 lobster seedlings. As well as several pieces of evidence in the form of holding ponds, water cooling equipment, oxygen tanks, styrofoam, two motorcycles, and one car,” he said.
Sukawijaya said this uncovering saves potential state losses of approximately Rp 705,000,000. He said the lobster seedlings would be sold on the black market.
“Assuming the economic value of lobster seedlings on the black market,” he said.
He stated that this uncovering is an effort by the Indonesian National Police to eradicate illegal practices that harm the state and threaten the sustainability of marine resources. He urged the public to report any suspected legal violations immediately.
“We are committed to firmly prosecuting all forms of fisheries criminal acts, especially the smuggling of lobster seedlings which have the potential to damage ecosystems and harm the national economy. This success is also inseparable from the role of the public in providing information,” he said.
The suspects are charged under Article 92 in conjunction with Article 26 paragraph (1) of Law No. 45 of 2009 on Fisheries, with a maximum prison sentence of 8 years and a fine of up to Rp 1.5 billion.