Officers thwart smuggling of 977 illegal birds in Bakauheni

LAMPUNG SELATAN - Joint officers thwarted an attempt to smuggle 977 birds without official documents that were to be sent from Sumatra to Java Island.

Kanit Reskrim Polsek KSKP Bakauheni Ipda Yuyut Panca Putra said the disclosure was carried out together with Lampung Quarantine officers, in the inspection area of the Bakauheni Port Interdiction Seaport, Friday (17/7) early morning, around 03.15 WIB.

"We have secured dozens of brown cardboard boxes containing hundreds of birds of various types with Karantina Lampung Satpel Bakauheni," he said, quoted by ANTARA, Friday, July 17.

He explained that the bird species was brought without being equipped with complete documents which will be sent to the Tangerang area.

"Hundreds of birds of various types were found stored in dozens of brown cardboard boxes. The wildlife is known to have been brought from Kayu Agung, South Sumatra, with the final destination being Bitung, Tangerang," he said.

According to him, illegal wildlife trade is still rampant and the Bakauheni Crossing Port is the main gateway for the illegal circulation of wildlife to Java Island.

"In total there are 977 birds without documents. We immediately handed them over to the Quarantine for follow-up," he said.

Currently, hundreds of wildlife have been under the care of the Lampung Satpel Bakauheni Quarantine for further processing in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

He appealed to the public not to be involved in illegal wildlife trade. The perpetrators can be charged with Law No. 5 of 1990 concerning the Conservation of Natural Living Resources and their Ecosystems.