West Kalimantan Police Reveals Case Of Smuggling Turtle Eggs In Sambas

Released case of smuggling turtle eggs/Jesica Helena Wuysang/ANTARA

Polairud West Kalimantan Regional Police (Polda Kalbar) is investigating cases of violations of natural conservation by securing the perpetrators of smuggling turtle eggs at Sinte Harbor, Sambas Regency.

"Currently we have developed this case, where we made this arrest on Tuesday, August 25, at around 10:00 WIB through an enforcement operation, we succeeded in uncovering cases of ownership and smuggling of turtle eggs, actions that violate the conservation laws of biological resources and their ecosystems," said Director of Police Air and Air Force West Kalimantan, Kombes Raspani, in Pontianak, reported by ANTARA, Friday, September 8.

During the arrest, its members managed to find eight cardboard boxes containing turtle eggs hidden in a Honda CRV vehicle with police number KB 992 AH.

This vehicle is driven by a 57-year-old man with the initials E, who is a resident of Seladi Hamlet, Semparuk District, Sambas Regency.

The police revealed that the turtle eggs were brought from Tambelan, Riau Islands Province, using the Bahterati Nusantara 03 ship which was picked up by a 42-year-old man with the initials N, who is a resident of the Fisherman Street, Penjabar Village, Pemangkat District, Sambas Regency, without any valid documents.

The two perpetrators were immediately secured by officers and taken to the Polair Mako Polda Kalbar for further investigation. This case will be subject to an applicable article, namely Article 40 paragraph 2 along with Article 21 paragraph 2 letter E of Law Number 5 of 1990 concerning the conservation of biological resources and their ecosystems, along with Article 55 paragraph 1 of the Criminal Code related to ownership, storage, and trafficking of turtle eggs.

Violations of this natural conservation law can be subject to a maximum imprisonment of five years and a maximum fine of Rp. 100 million. As evidence, officers managed to confiscate a unit of a gray Honda CRV four-wheeled vehicle, as well as 6,266 turtle eggs with a species of green turtles. A total of 6,256 eggs will be destroyed, while the other 10 grains will be set aside as evidence in court.

"Law enforcement against cases like this strengthens the commitment of the West Kalimantan Police to protect biodiversity and a very valuable natural ecosystem for our marine ecosystem. This case is also a reminder for people not to be involved in illegal trade that harms environmental sustainability," he said.