- The Law Enforcement Center (Gakkum) Operations Team of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) Sulawesi Region succeeded in arresting two perpetrators of cross-provincial protected wild animal trafficking in Makassar, Friday (16/02/2024).
- The two perpetrators who were arrested had the initials Sj (47) with an address in Makassar City and FN (22) with an address in Jeneponto Regency, South Sulawesi. They were charged under the KSDAE Law with the threat of a maximum prison sentence of 5 years and a maximum fine of IDR 100 million.
- From the arrest of the two perpetrators, the operations team succeeded in securing evidence in the form of 56 protected birds of the type dora lorikeet, black-headed musk ox, golden ching.
- The Ministry of Environment and Forestry's Gakkum for the Sulawesi Region will continue to develop in disclosing and breaking up the protected wild animal trade network as well as exploring the possibility of other parties being involved and the existence of other types of animal being trafficked.
The Law Enforcement Center ( Gakkum ) Operations Team of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) Sulawesi Region succeeded in arresting two perpetrators of cross-provincial protected wild animal trafficking in Makassar, Friday (16/02/2024).
According to Aswin Bangun, Head of the KLHK Gakkum Center for the Sulawesi Region , the disclosure of this case began with public information regarding the existence of trade in protected animals in Makassar City.
Based on this information, the Sulawesi Regional KLHK Gakkum Center then carried out an in-depth investigation and followed up by carrying out an operation, which was carried out in an integrated manner between the Makassar Anoa Brigade Quick Reaction Forestry Police Unit (SPORC), the Sulawesi Regional KLHK Gakkum Center together with the Sulawesi Regional Police's Special Criminal Investigation Directorate (Ditreskrimsus). South (Sulsel) and BBKSDA South Sulawesi.
The two perpetrators who were arrested had the initials SJ (47) with the address of Wajo Baru Village, Bontoala District, Makassar City and FN (22) with the address of Tiu Hamlet, Pallantikang Village, Rumbia District, Jeneponto Regency, South Sulawesi. They were then detained at the Sulawesi Regional KLHK Gakkum Hall office for further examination.
From the arrest of the two perpetrators, the operations team succeeded in securing evidence in the form of 56 protected birds, consisting of 6 types of dora lorikeet ( Trichoglossus ornatus ), one type of black-headed muskbird ( Lorius lory ), one type of chinese bird. goldfish ( Gracula religiosa ) and two unidentified bird species (suspected to be a crossbreed between the Lorius lory and Trichoglossus haematodus species ) are alive, as well as 46 dora lorikeets that are dead .
The animals have then been entrusted to BBKSDA South Sulawesi for further treatment so that they can be returned to their natural habitat.
From the results of the investigation by the Sulawesi Regional KLHK Gakkum Center investigators, it was discovered that the birds came from Ampana, Tojo Una Una Regency, Central Sulawesi and were sent using Wulin cars to SJ's (47) house.
SJ then sold the animals via Facebook at various prices. Black-headed parrots are sold for Rp. 1,500,000/head, rainbow parrots are sold for Rp. 400,000-Rp. 500,000/head and dora lorikeets are sold for Rp. 300,000/head.
The two suspects were charged under Article 40 Paragraph (2) in conjunction with Article 21 Paragraph (2) letter "a" Law Number 5 of 1990 concerning Conservation of Living Natural Resources and their Ecosystems, with the threat of a maximum prison sentence of 5 years and a maximum fine of IDR 100 million. Currently the two suspects are being held in custody at the South Sulawesi Regional Police State Detention Center (Rutan).
Aswin stated that his party would continue to develop in disclosing and breaking up the protected wild animal trade network as well as exploring the possibility of other parties being involved and the existence of other types of animal being trafficked.
“Action against perpetrators of crimes against protected animals is the government's commitment to protecting Indonesia's rich biodiversity. "This crime is a threat to the preservation of biodiversity and ecosystems which are very important for the life of the nation," he said.
According to Aswin, wildlife trafficking is a very detrimental crime and is included in organized crime. Along with advances in time and technology, the trade in protected wild animals has shifted from previously being done through conventional trade in markets, to using online media for transactions.
Wildlife trafficking is still often found being bought and sold through various means, including social media such as Facebook. Data from the NGO Flight Communications states that during January-December 2023, 54,488 live wild animals were confiscated.
On March 31 2023, the SPORC operations team Kangaroo Brigade Section III Jayapura Balai Gakkum Maluku and Papua Region KLHK succeeded in securing the perpetrators of the illegal wildlife trade in Marauke Regency in the form of eleven black-headed muskrats ( Lorius Lory ) alive and two box cages.
"With this change, we from Gakkum KLHK continue to develop various ways to implement TSL security, such as through Cyber Patrol to monitor online TSL trading on social media and collaborating with the Ministry of Communication and Information to close accounts and content that are suspected of carrying out trading transactions. "wild animals are protected and collaborate with Cyber Crime institutions in the Police," he explained.
Aswin then appealed to the entire community not to catch, possess, store, trade protected wild plants and animals, whether alive or dead, without permission.
Aswin explained that as a form of the government's serious efforts in protecting natural resources which are Indonesia's biological wealth, especially crimes against wild plants and animals (TSL) which are protected from various threats and crimes, Gakkum LHK continues to strengthen various collaborations with legal and legal authorities. other institutions such as the Police, Customs and Excise, TNI-AL, BAKAMLA, Agricultural Quarantine Agency, BKSDA, PPATK, and the Prosecutor's Office.
"Apart from that, we also strengthen the use of technology such as Cyber Patrol and the Intelligence Center to monitor the trade in protected animals," he added.
Previously, throughout 2023, the KLHK Gakkum team succeeded in carrying out 187 forest and forest product security operations, with details of 64 illegal logging operations, 92 forest area security operations, as well as 31 TSL hunting and trade operations .