Pekanbaru Police Arrest Seller of Owa Siamang

Pekanbaru - The Pekanbaru City Police, Riau, arrested a perpetrator of the trade in protected primates of the owa siamang species, which he sold for Rp. 10 million.

Pekanbaru Police Chief Kombes Muharman Arta explained that the disclosure of this case began with community information regarding the trade of protected wildlife in Pekanbaru City.

"Furthermore, it was followed up by an undercover purchase by the officer. Alhamdulillah, the culprit with the initials YUS was caught," he said, quoted by ANTARA, Thursday, January 22.

The police are currently still developing the case to pursue other perpetrators involved, including the owner or caretaker of rare animals. It is not ruled out that they can also be charged with a crime.

"Currently, we are also in the process of developing the owner or caretaker of this protected animal, which we cannot reveal at this time. Hopefully, in the near future we can catch it," he said.

Meanwhile, the head of the Pekanbaru Police Criminal Investigation Unit, AKP Anggi Rian Diansyah, revealed that the perpetrator was arrested on Wednesday (21/1) at around 11.30 WIB. Starting from information about transactions, the team then investigated the animal markets while pretending to buy birds.

"The suspect stated 'I have acquaintances who sell siamangs'. From there we fished, we undercover buydari penjual ini? At that time we only paid a deposit of Rp. 2 million, but he sold Rp. 10 million," he said.

From the results of the interrogation, it turned out that there was an owner behind the trade in Siamese cagarawas. The police are currently still developing the owner of the protected animal.

He explained that the siamang owl was from Kampar Regency, so the police had also searched for the alleged owner of this protected animal to that area, but the perpetrator was not there.

During interrogation, the suspect admitted that he did not have a permit to trade in protected animals. The perpetrator was then taken to the Pekanbaru Police for further investigation.

For his actions, according to him, the suspect was charged with Article 40 A paragraph (1) letter d Juncto Article 21 paragraph (2) letter A Juncto Law Number 32 of 2024 concerning Amendments to Law Number 5 of 1990 concerning the Conservation of Natural Resources and Ecosystems, with a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.