Timeline of the Uncovering of a 3-Tonne Pangolin Scales Smuggling Case at Tanjung Priok

JAKARTA — Hartoyo, head of Investigation Section 2 at Tanjung Priok Customs, has disclosed the chronology of the smuggling of three tonnes (3,053 kilograms) of pangolin scales hidden in a container at Tanjung Priok Port in North Jakarta.

He explained that initially the exporter submitted a Pemberitahuan Ekspor Barang (PEB) for two goods: instant noodles and sea cucumbers (teripang).

“From the incoming documents, document analysis was conducted via X-Ray scan. The X-Ray results showed indications of three types of goods in the container,” he said at the Jakarta International Container Terminal (JICT), Tanjung Priok, North Jakarta, on Wednesday (4 March 2026).

During the physical inspection of the container on Wednesday (18 February 2026), three types of goods were found.

“During the physical inspection, it was found that there were three types of goods as previously mentioned in the press release, with the addition of pangolin scales,” he added.

From the inspection results, instant noodles were found at the front of the container.

“Nevertheless, the police are still delving into the suspected camouflage by using instant noodle cartons,” he stated.

“We are still collecting and examining the suspicions about the exporter,” he said.

Meanwhile, Adhang Noegroho Adhi, head of the Type A Customs and Excise Office at Tanjung Priok, said the total pangolin scales found amounted to 3,053 kilograms.

“For the 3,053 kilograms of pangolin scales, the estimated selling value is around IDR 60 million per kilogram. Therefore, the total estimated value is about IDR 183 billion,” he said at a press conference at the Tanjung Priok Port Customs on Wednesday.

“For the perpetrators, we are conducting deeper investigations because this was actually the first export. So we still need time to trace who the perpetrators are, etc.” he added.

Darman, head of the Jakarta Conservation of Natural Resources Centre (BKSDA), said based on initial checks, the scales are strongly suspected to be from the pangolin or Manis javanica, which is protected.

“It is strongly suspected that the scales or samples presented to us are from pangolins or Manis javanica,” he added at the same press conference on Wednesday.