Police Uncover Illegal Pangolin Scale Trade in Pontianak

The Pontianak City Police have uncovered an alleged illegal trade in protected wildlife, seizing 551.365 kilograms of pangolin scales (Manis javanica) and 42.015 kilograms of pangolin claws, and naming two residents of South Pontianak as suspects.

Pontianak Police Chief Senior Commissioner Endang Tri Purwanto said on Thursday that the two suspects are believed to have traded parts of protected wildlife obtained from the Sintang and Kapuas Hulu regions.

“The evidence we secured consists of 551.365 kilograms of pangolin scales and 42.015 kilograms of pangolin claws,” he said.

According to Endang, the case began with the arrest of suspect HA alias AA at a house in South Pontianak District on Saturday (1/8).

During a search, police found 30 sacks containing pangolin scales and claws, and subsequently named BS alias AM as a suspect believed to be the owner of the goods.

In addition to the protected wildlife parts, police also seized a set of scales suspected to have been used in the trading activity.

Both suspects are charged under Article 40A paragraph (1) letter f in conjunction with Article 21 paragraph (2) letter c of Law Number 32 of 2024 concerning Amendments to Law Number 5 of 1990 on Conservation of Living Natural Resources and Their Ecosystems.

Endang said investigators are still looking into the origin of the evidence and the possible involvement of a wider wildlife trafficking network. Based on preliminary statements, the goods originated from Sintang and Kapuas Hulu.

The Head of the West Kalimantan Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA), Murlan Dameria Pane, said the evidence is estimated to have come from around 2,600 pangolins, based on an estimate that each kilogram of scales comes from four to six animals.

He welcomed the uncovering of the case and urged the public not to believe claims that pangolin scales have medicinal properties, as there is currently no scientific evidence supporting any medical benefits.