Kemenhut secures suspects in smuggling orangutans to Java gibbons to Thailand

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Forestry (Kemenhut) has secured and named AS as a suspect in the case of smuggling dozens of wildlife, including protected species, which are planned to be sent from Aceh to Thailand.

Head of the Forestry Law Enforcement Agency (Gakkum) for the Sumatra Region, Hari Novianto, explained that AS was detained after 53 packages containing hundreds of wildlife, including protected and endangered species, such as one orangutan (P. pygmaeus), three Javan gibbons (Trachypithecus auratus) and five hornbills (Buceros bicornis), as well as parts of the body of the animal, including the skull, which was suspected of being a tiger.

"The disclosure of this case is a form of synergy and collaboration between the Forestry Gakkum with Customs and BKSDA Aceh in maintaining Indonesia's biodiversity wealth," he said as quoted by ANTARA, Monday, February 2.

"The Regional Forestry Gakkum Office of Sumatra together with Customs will increase surveillance of rat routes, both ports and estuaries along the east coast of Aceh-North Sumatra, which are suspected to be the exit point for animals that will be smuggled out of Indonesia," added Hari.

The investigation process itself follows up on the transfer of the case of smuggling protected wildlife from the KPPBC TMP Customs and Excise Langsa to the Sumatra Forestry Gakkum Office.

On Friday (30/1), the Enforcement and Investigation Team (P2) at the Customs Service and Service Office (KPPBC) Type Major Customs (TMP) C Langsa in Madat District, East Aceh Regency secured a unit of a car carrying orangutans, monkeys and various types of other bird species allegedly for export to Thailand.

Furthermore, the perpetrator and evidence were handed over to the Forestry Gakkum for further legal proceedings.

He said the establishment of the AS suspect was a gateway to uncovering the cross-country wildlife trafficking network.

Meanwhile, the Director General of Gakkum, Ministry of Social Affairs, Dwi Januanto Nugroho, said that wildlife trafficking is a serious crime that not only harms the country, but also threatens the sustainability of the ecosystem.

"This case is suspected of involving an organized international crime network. The Forestry Gakkum will work with the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK), the Prosecutor's Office, the Police, and other agencies to trace the flow of funds and the network of perpetrators," he said.

He ordered investigators to investigate the involvement of the suspect and other perpetrators in the international network of smuggling protected wildlife abroad.