2 Chinese Foreigners Smuggle Thousands Of Natural Fisheries Form Of Opsetan Arrested In Maluku, Barbuk Destroyed

The results of the confiscation of thousands of butterfly figures destroyed by the Maluku BKSDA, Ambon. (ANTARA/Winda Herman)

JAKARTA - The Maluku Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) destroyed thousands of butterfly figures from being confiscated from smuggling efforts by two foreign nationals (foreigners) from China.

"The destruction is carried out in accordance with applicable regulations to handle evidence of environmental and forestry crimes," said Head of the Maluku KSDA Center Danny H. Pattipeilohy, in Ambon, Wednesday, February 26, quoted by Antara.

He explained that previously Maluku BKSDA officers had secured two foreigners at the Swisbell Ambon Hotel on December 16, 2024 at 20.40 WIT.

The two people are suspected of smuggling and illegal trade transactions of natural butterflys in the form of poles.

In this operation, officers managed to confiscate about 3,000 butterfly specimens stored in 15 boxes and suitcases.

After being secured, the two foreigners and evidence were handed over to the Directorate of Special Criminal Investigation (Dirkrimsus) of the Maluku Police for further investigation. Investigators, with the help of a Mandarin translator, managed to identify the perpetrators, namely, Wen Junying (27 years) and Ma Yukin (24).

Investigators also found that the butterfly was purchased from a local resident named Alexander Porloy, whose address is Ambon City.

After calculating and identifying by officers who have special expertise, the total confiscated evidence amounted to 5,400 opsetan specimens, consisting of Papilio ulysses 4,700, Vindula, Phaedyma sp, Danis sp, Mynes doubledayi, Hypolymnas antilope, Hypolymnas bolina, Vagransegista, Arhopala sp 700 heads.

He said, based on the Regulation of the Minister of Environment and Forestry (Permen LHK) Number P.106 of 2018, these types of butterflys were not included in the protected animal category. Therefore, after going through the legal process, the perpetrators were released, and the evidence was returned to the Maluku BKSDA.

The destruction of Evidence Referring to the Minister of Environment and Forestry Regulation Number P.26/MENLHK/SETJEN/KUM.1/4/2017 concerning the handling of evidence of environmental and forestry crimes, the Maluku BKSDA decided to destroy thousands of butterflys from the confiscation.

Danny emphasized that this step is part of the government's commitment to eradicating illegal wildlife trade, as well as providing a deterrent effect for non-procedural smugglers and trade actors.

"This effort is a form of seriousness in cracking down on illegal practices that threaten Indonesia's biodiversity, especially in the Maluku region," he said.

The Maluku BKSDA also appealed to the public to be more concerned about wildlife protection and report any suspicious activity related to the illegal trade of flora and fauna.