Customs Thwarts Pet Smuggling From Thailand

BANDA ACEH - The Customs and Excise Team foiled the smuggling of pets and other illegal goods from Thailand that entered the waters of Seruway, Aceh Tamiang Regency.

Head of the Customs and Excise Supervision and Customs Service Office Type C Langsa Tri Hartana, said, apart from pets, there were also used clothes, plants, and two-wheeled vehicles that were about to be smuggled into the customs area in Aceh.

"The smuggled goods were transported using two pickup trucks. The cargo of the vehicle contained animals, plants, used clothes, and used two-wheeled vehicles," said Tri Hartana, quoted by Antara, Thursday, March 10.

Tri Hartana said that the smuggling was carried out early Tuesday (8/3). In addition to securing illegal goods, officers also arrested five people, consisting of the driver and crew.

The smuggled pets include bangkok chickens, birds, turtles, and cat-like animals. Meanwhile, the smuggled vehicles consisted of three antique motorcycles.

Tri Hartana said that the action against smuggling began with public information. From this information, Customs and Excise dispatched a patrol team to investigate in the Seruway area, Aceh Tamiang

While traveling from Langsa, said Tri Hartana, the customs patrol team passed a pickup. The team suspects and chases the pickup truck

The team managed to stop the vehicle and check its payload. Two people were arrested from the vehicle. A few minutes later, the team also stopped another vehicle suspected of carrying contraband.

"Three other people also secured the vehicle from the vehicle. The team also checked the cargo of the vehicle, it turned out that it was not equipped with import documents," said Tri Hartana.

Tri Hartana said the total value of goods and state losses from the action was still in the process of being calculated. Meanwhile, the perpetrators are suspected of violating Article 102 letter (a) of the Republic of Indonesia Law Number 17 of 2006 concerning customs.

The perpetrators, said Tri Hartana, face a minimum of one year in prison and a maximum of 10 years in prison. Or a minimum fine of IDR 50 million and a maximum of IDR 5 billion.

"This action is proof of the seriousness of customs in eradicating illegal goods and closing the entrance of smugglers into Indonesian territory," said Tri Hartana.