Smuggling of 21 Turtles in Buleleng Foiled, One Suspect Arrested, Two at Large
The smuggling of 21 green turtles (Chelonia mydas) at Pegametan Beach, Sumberkima Village, Gerokgak District, Buleleng, has been foiled by the Bali Regional Police. The case is being handled by the Directorate of Water and Air Police (Ditpolairud) of the Bali Police.
Head of the Law Enforcement Sub-Directorate (Subdit Gakkum) Ditpolairud Bali Police, AKBP Nanang Pri Hasmoko, stated that a 67-year-old man with the initials KS was arrested in connection with the case. Two other suspects, identified as Iwan (30) and KMG (35), remain at large and have been placed on the wanted list (DPO).
“From initial interrogation, the suspect (KS) admitted that the 21 green turtles were sent by a person named Iwan from the waters of Madura, East Java. The suspect’s role was to receive the turtles at Pegametan Beach, which would then be collected and sold by another perpetrator named KMG,” Nanang said during a press release on Friday (19/6/2026).
The uncovering of the turtle smuggling case began with a report from the coastal community of Pegametan Beach, who were suspicious of trading activities in their area. The Subdit Gakkum Ditpolairud Bali Police subsequently conducted an investigation in the field.
Police then raided the Pegametan Beach coastline on Wednesday (10/6/2026) at around 10:00 p.m. local time. At the location, officers caught and arrested KS. The elderly man from Banjar Yadnya Kerthi, Ularan Village, Seririt District, Buleleng, is strongly suspected of acting as the holder or keeper of the turtles before their distribution.
KS has been named a suspect. He is charged under multiple articles related to wildlife protection, specifically Article 40A paragraph (1) letter d in conjunction with Article 21 paragraph (2) letter a of Law Number 32 of 2024 concerning Amendments to Law Number 5 of 1990 on Conservation of Biological Natural Resources and Their Ecosystems, in conjunction with Law Number 1 of 2026 on Criminal Adjustments.
Based on this law, Nanang explained, KS faces a maximum prison sentence of 15 years and a fine for hunting, capturing, storing, possessing, maintaining, and/or trading protected wildlife in a living state.
“Currently, the suspected perpetrator along with the evidence is at the Ditpolairud Bali Police headquarters to undergo the investigation process and case development in order to pursue the other perpetrators in the network,” Nanang revealed.
In addition to seizing the 21 green turtles, the Subdit Gakkum Ditpolairud Bali Police also confiscated a grey Nokia mobile phone used for communication.