21.8 Kg Pangolin Scales Destination Vietnam Confiscated In Batam
The Directorate of Special Criminal Investigation (Ditreskrimsus) of the Riau Islands Police thwarted the smuggling of 21.80 kilograms (Kg) of pangolin scales (Manis Javanica) through Batam City to Vietnam.
Kasubdit IV Industrial and Trade (Indagsi) Ditreskrimsus Polda Kepri AKBP Ruslaeni said the pangolin scales came from Kubu Raya Regency, West Kalimantan Province.
"The plan is that the pangolin scales will be smuggled into Vietnam through Malaysia. Coming from Kubu Raya, sent via Batam," Ruslaeni was quoted as saying by ANTARA, Monday, September 1.
The middle-ranking police officer explained that pangolins are among protected animals because they are threatened with extinction, currently their status is classified as "Apendiks 1" or the most threatened and prohibited animals from being traded, including their scales.
Pangolins are protected in accordance with the Regulation of the Minister of Environment and Forestry of the Republic of Indonesia Number P.106/MenLHK/Setjen/KUM.1/12/2018 Attachment of Halim 11 Number 84.
The chronology of the disclosure began with public information that an investigation was carried out on Friday (29/8) in the Bengkong area, Batam City, next to laundry. Evidence of the Criminal Investigation of Biological Natural Resources (KSDA) was secured as much as 21.80 kg of pangolin scales.
"The Pangolin Sysik has been packaged, stored in a packaging box with the sender document on behalf of Yabungan and the recipient on behalf of Joko with the address at Laundry SMPN 4, Bengkong District, Batam City," he said.
The sender and recipient documents include a phone number. Investigators then carry out surveillance or follow-up to the address in question. However, the address turned out to be fictitious.
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For this reason, investigators from Sub-Directorate 1 of the Ditreskrimsus Polda Kepri secured the goods, witnessed by an employee of a shipping service company whose address is at Ruko Cahaya Garden Residence, Bengkong Nusantara.
"We examined two witnesses, namely courier witnesses and admin witnesses of the delivery service company. The suspect is currently investigating," he said.
Ruslaeni said the pangolin scales have a selling value of IDR 60 million per kilogram, so that with a weight of 21.80 kg to be smuggled, the total value reaches IDR 1.2 billion.
Investigators are still hunting down the smugglers, they are charged with Law Number 32 of 2024 concerning Amendments to Law Number 5 of 1990 concerning KSDA and its Ecosystem Article 40A paragraph (1) letter f in conjunction with Article 21 paragraph 2 letter c and/or Article 21 paragraph (2) letter c shall be punished with imprisonment for a minimum of three years and a maximum of 15 years, a maximum fine of IDR 5 billion.