Police Uncover International Network Smuggling Komodo Dragons to Thailand
Kupang (ANTARA) - Police officers have uncovered an international smuggling network for Komodo dragons (Varanus komodoensis) from East Manggarai to Thailand, following the arrest of two perpetrators on Flores Island, East Nusa Tenggara Province (NTT).
The Head of Criminal Investigation at East Manggarai Police Resort, Iptu Ahmad Zacky Shodri, contacted from Kupang on Thursday, stated that the success in revealing the case was achieved through cooperation between the East Java Provincial Police and the East Manggarai Police Resort, NTT.
“This case is a development from the Komodo theft incident that occurred in 2025,” he said.
In uncovering this case, Zacky explained, the role of the East Manggarai Police Resort was only to back up the East Java Provincial Police when securing two suspects, namely Ruslan and Junaidin Yusuf, who are suspected of being involved in capturing and trading Komodos.
“The two suspects are believed to be part of the distribution chain in an illegal wildlife trading network involving cross-regional areas up to abroad,” he stated.
Ruslan was arrested first on 29 March 2026 in Londang Village, Nanga Baur Village, Sambi Rampas Subdistrict. The arrest was carried out based on a warrant from the Special Criminal Investigation Directorate of the East Java Provincial Police.
From the development results, the police then pursued another perpetrator, Junaidin Yusuf, who had fled for three days before finally surrendering on 3 April 2026.
“The NTT Provincial Police is committed to continuing synergy in eradicating protected wildlife trading networks down to their roots,” he said.
He emphasised that trading Komodos as Indonesia’s endemic wildlife is a serious crime because it threatens ecosystem preservation and biodiversity.
He urged the public to actively participate by reporting any suspicious activities related to illegal trading of rare wildlife.
“This revelation also reinforces the commitment of the apparatus in narrowing the operational space for wildlife smuggling networks that exploit cross-regional to international routes,” he added.