Smuggling of 54,000 Lobster Larvae Worth Rp 1 Billion to Singapore via YIA Thwarted
Joint authorities have successfully thwarted an attempt to smuggle 54,000 baby lobster larvae (benur) through Yogyakarta International Airport (YIA). The larvae, valued at approximately Rp 1.08 billion, were intended for transport to Singapore via passenger channels.
Acting Head of Yogyakarta Customs Office Imam Sarjono disclosed that the case was uncovered on Sunday, 1 March, following coordinated efforts between Customs, the Quarantine Agency, Airport Security (Avsec), and Kulon Progo Police.
“On 1 March 2026, in coordination with the Quarantine Agency, Avsec, and Kulon Progo Police, we successfully prevented the smuggling of 54,096 baby lobsters intended for transport to Singapore via passenger routes. The estimated value is approximately Rp 1.081 billion,” Imam stated during a press briefing at YIA’s Integrated Security Services Office in Kulon Progo on Monday, 2 March 2026.
Imam stressed that the success resulted not from the efforts of a single agency, but from intensive coordination and communication between airport personnel. He noted that baby lobster represents a commodity of exceptionally high ecological and economic value, with potential to disrupt the sustainability of Indonesia’s marine ecosystem if smuggled out.
The discovery began when a suitcase passed through X-ray screening. According to Rahmat Febrian Syahrani, Head of Airport Operations Services and Security Division at YIA, suspicious items were detected during baggage check-in. “When luggage entered baggage screening through X-ray, we detected suspicious content. Inspections were conducted from level 1 through level 4, after which the bag owner was called and the suitcase opened collectively,” he explained.
Authorities determined that the perpetrators attempted to deceive inspectors by disguising the lobster larvae packaging with beads and ice-filled bottles to render the X-ray image less suspicious. “The suspects concealed [the contents] with beads and ice bottles to obscure the X-ray image,” Syahrani noted.
Two Arrests Made
Kulon Progo Police Criminal Investigation Chief Iptu Subihan Afuan Ardhi reported that two individuals have been apprehended: HK (31) and AW (43). The larvae were packed in 39 plastic bags and placed in two suitcases.
Investigations revealed that both perpetrators had received instructions from a fugitive named James who communicated via an overseas WhatsApp number. “The baby lobster owner instructed HK or AW to transport the pre-packed larvae placed in suitcases. They did not know each other so that if caught, neither could identify the actual owner, known as James,” Subihan explained.
Preliminary investigations indicate that HK had previously conducted similar shipments in 2024 via sea routes from Batam to Singapore for a fee of Rp 3 million. He also admitted to sending larvae again on 12 February 2026 for a payment of Rp 7 million. “Subject HK admitted to having previously undertaken similar activities on James’s instructions. For the most recent attempt, he was offered Rp 7 million net, with an aeroplane ticket also provided,” Subihan stated.
Police continue investigating suspected involvement of international smuggling networks and the origins of the larvae. Authorities have seized the suspects’ passports, two Tiger Air tickets to Singapore, and three mobile phones belonging to the perpetrators.
The two suspects face multiple charges under the Fisheries Law and Animal, Fish, and Plant Quarantine Law, with potential sentences of up to eight years imprisonment and fines reaching Rp 500 million.