Bukittinggi Police Arrest Seller Of 583 Protected Birds From Cucak Kuricang, Pleci To Sunda Bulbul
BUKITTINGGI - The Bukittinggi Police Criminal Investigation Unit team, West Sumatra, arrested a suspected seller of protected animals along with evidence of 583 birds in Parabek Nagari Ladang Laweh, Agam.
The Head of Criminal Investigation at the Bukittinggi Police, AKP Allan Budi Kusumah Latinusa, explained that the arrest of the perpetrator was carried out at his home after receiving information from the public.
"We arrested the perpetrator with the initials F (49), after receiving information that he had bought and sold protected animals," said Allan, quoted by Antara, Wednesday, October 6.
The police through the Kerambit Team then checked the perpetrator's house and it was proven that hundreds of birds were found in his house which were estimated to be ready for sale.
According to the Criminal Investigation Unit, the hundreds of birds found in the perpetrator's house were 583 protected animals of various types.
"For the temporary inspection, we recorded about 10 bird species, namely three Cucak Kuricang, two Gray Brinyi, 14 Green Winged Cuca, nine Sunda Bulbul, 500 Pleci, 16 Poksai, 14 Kampung Kucica, eight Cuca Gunung, 12 Honey Srikandi and five Iron Murai," he said.
All the birds with their cages were brought by the Police to the Bukittinggi Police as evidence for further investigation.
"For now, the perpetrators who usually sell are under investigation, and the Bukittinggi BKSDA has identified them," said Allan.
The perpetrator was charged with Article 40 paragraph (2) Jo. Article 21 paragraph (2) letter a of the Law of the Republic of Indonesia Number 5 of 1990 concerning Conservation of Biological Natural Resources and Their Ecosystems if proven guilty.
Meanwhile, Head of the Natural Resources Conservation Center (BKSDA) of Bukittinggi, Vera Chicko, said that four of the 10 species of birds were protected by the Bukittinggi Police.
"There are four types of protected animals, namely Pleci, Sumatran Poksai, Blue-winged chirping leaves and red-necked or jantingan honeybirds," he said.
Head of Criminal Investigation Unit Allan appealed to the public not to violate the law under the pretext of trading because it could cause damage to the Nature Reserve area and conservation area.
"Actions that violate the provisions regarding the protection of protected plants and animals are a violation of the law, therefore the Bukittinggi Police carry out direct and indirect supervision of the preservation and protection of these plants and animals," said Allan.