Bali Police Foil Smuggling of 21 Green Turtle in Buleleng

DENPASAR - The Directorate of Marine and Air Police (Ditpolairud) of the Bali Police thwarted an attempt to smuggle and trade protected wildlife of the green turtle on the coast of Buleleng Regency, Bali.

During the operation, officers secured 21 green turtles alive along with one suspected perpetrator.

Kasubdit Gakkum Ditpolairud Polda Bali AKBP Nanang Pri Hasmoko explained that the incident was revealed starting from a report from the coastal community of Pegametan Beach who suspected illegal turtle trade activities.

Following up on this information, the Subditgakkum team of Ditpolairud immediately conducted an investigation on the ground.

Until Wednesday, June 10, 2026 at around 22.00 Wita, the Police carried out a raid on the Pegametan beach, Sumberkima Village, Gerokgak, Buleleng.

"At the location, officers caught and secured a man with the initials KS (67)," he said, quoted by ANTARA, Saturday, June 20.

The elderly man from Seririt District is suspected of playing a role as a holder or keeper of protected animals before being distributed.

From the results of the initial interrogation, the suspect admitted that the 21 green turtles were sent by someone named Iwan from the waters of Madura, East Java.

During the examination by the officers, the suspect was suspected of being in charge of receiving the turtle on the Pegametan beach, which would later be taken and resold by another perpetrator named KMG.

Currently, the police have arrested one suspect with the initials KS (67) and are hunting for the other two perpetrators who have been designated as DPO, namely Iwan a 30-year-old male from East Java, as a supplier and KMG a 35-year-old male from Buleleng, as a dealer to be sold again.

From the suspect's hands, the officers managed to secure a number of evidence from the crime scene to the Bali Police's Ditpolairud Mako, including 21 green turtle animals in a live state, 1 unit Nokia HMD gray mobile phone used for communication transactions.

In handling this case, the police have also examined several suspects.

For his actions, the suspect was charged with layered articles related to wildlife protection, namely Article 40A paragraph (1) letter d Juncto Article 21 paragraph (2) letter a of Law of the Republic of Indonesia Number 32 of 2024 concerning Amendments to Law Number 5 of 1990 concerning the Conservation of Natural Living Resources and Ecosystems Jo. Law of the Republic of Indonesia Number 1 of 2026 concerning Criminal Adjustment.