JAKARTA - The Law Enforcement Center (Gakkum) of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) arrested two sellers of 36.7 kilograms of pangolin scales in Sumatra.
This arrest began with the operation of the distribution of wild plants and animals (TSL) Team Balai Gakkum KLHK Sumatra Region.
Head of the KLHK Law Enforcement Center for the Sumatra Region, Subhan, said the arrest was made by SPORC officers of the Leopard Brigade Section I, Law Enforcement Center (Gakkum) of the KLHK Sumatra Region.
The suspects, each with the initials SP (42) and M (26) from Gegerung Village, Tanjung Morawa, Deli Serdang, and one hornbill seller, MB (41) on Jalan Jenderal Besar AH Nasution, Medan City.
On November 24, 2021, said Subhan, the team obtained information from the public regarding the illegal activities of residents of Tanjung Morawa sub-district, Deli Serdang, who offered 40 kg of pangolin scales and 17 hornbill beaks.
"Furthermore, team members disguised themselves as buyers and determined the meeting location in Gegerung Village, Tanjung Morawa, Deli Serdang. After the agreed price and transaction time, on November 25, 2021, the undercover team together with other team members headed to the predetermined location," explained Subhan reported from Antara, Jakarta, Sunday, November 28.
Subhan said the perpetrator came at around 13.30 WIB and showed four sacks of pangolin scales that had been packed in cardboard boxes. The team immediately caught hold of the suspect and took the perpetrator and evidence to the Medan Section 1 Section Office, Balai Gakkum KLHK Sumatra Region, for further investigation.
Based on the development of the case, said Subhan, the team obtained information that there was a perpetrator who offered 17 hornbill beaks. The team again went undercover and determined the location of the meeting on Jalan Jenderal Besar AH Nasution, Medan.
"After an agreement was reached, at around 18.25 WIB, the perpetrator came and brought one hornbill beak. The team immediately arrested the perpetrator and brought the perpetrator along with evidence to the Regional Section 1 Office of the Medan Gakkum KLHK Sumatra Region," he said.
Of the three perpetrators, 36.7 kg of pangolin scales and one hornbill beak were secured. The three perpetrators have been designated as suspects by investigators, said Subhan.
The suspect has been deposited at the North Sumatra Police Detention Center while evidence in the form of 36.7 kg of pangolin scales in a brown cardboard, two cellphones and a hornbill beak in blue plastic, a cellphone and a motorcycle without a police number have been confiscated at the North Sumatra Police. Office of the Regional I Gakkum Section, in Medan.
For this act, the three suspects will be threatened with a criminal sentence of Article 21 Paragraph 2 Letter d Jo. Article 40 Paragraph 2 of Law Number 5 of 1990 concerning Conservation of Biological Natural Resources and Their Ecosystems carries a maximum penalty of 5 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of Rp. 100 million.
Subhan added that investigators from the Balai Gakkum KLHK Sumatra Region are still exploring the possibility of involvement of other parties, especially intellectual actors and their networks.
"High appreciation is conveyed to the North Sumatra Regional Police, civil society and other related parties who have helped and contributed significantly to the disclosure of this case," he said.
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