Smuggling of 'Mi Instan' Containers Containing Illegal Assets Disrupted by Tanjung Priok Customs, Worth Billions

JAKARTA - Customs Directorate General officers thwarted an attempt to smuggle 3.05 tons of Javanese Pangolin scales (Manis javanica) at the Tanjung Priok Port, Jakarta.

The scales of the protected animal were allegedly to be illegally exported to Cambodia with a value of around IDR 183 billion.

Head of the Tanjung Priok Type A Customs and Excise Service Office, Adhang Noegroho Adhi, said the disclosure of the case began with an intelligence analysis of suspicious export documents.

"This action is a manifestation of firm and just law enforcement, as well as part of ongoing efforts to preserve protected wildlife and law enforcement in cases of illegal hunting and trading of wildlife," Adhang said in a statement in Jakarta, Antara, Thursday, March 5.

The action was taken after a physical examination of a 20-foot-long container that had previously been detected through an Intelligence Results Note (NHI).

In the Export Goods Notification (PEB) document, the exporting company PT TSR only listed two types of commodities, namely Sea Cucumber and Instant Noodles. However, the scan results showed three spaces in the container that raised suspicions of other goods that were not reported.

The officers then conducted a physical examination on February 18 and found 99 cartons of dried animal scales of various sizes weighing a total of 3.05 tons. In addition, 51 bags of sea cucumber weighing 1.53 tons and 300 cartons of instant noodles weighing about 1.2 tons were also found.

To ensure the identity of the animal's scales, Customs cooperated with the DKI Jakarta Natural Resources Conservation Agency. The results of the examination stated that the scales were part of the body of the Javanese Pangolin, which is a protected animal.

This animal is listed as a protected species in the Minister of Environment and Forestry Regulation Number P.106 of 2018.

Adhang emphasized that the disclosure showed the importance of strengthening the intelligence function and cross-agency collaboration in preventing wildlife trafficking.

"We are committed to tightening export supervision and taking firm action against any violations that threaten the sustainability of wildlife and harm the country," he said.

Currently, the Customs and Excise Service is still conducting further examinations related to the alleged export violations committed by the company.