Police Arrest Pangolin Scales And Hornbill Beak Sellers In North Tapanuli

ILLUSTRATION DOK VOI

MEDAN - Police officers uncovered the practice of buying and selling protected animals in the form of pangolin scales and hornbill beaks in the North Tapanuli (Taput) Regency, North Sumatra.

North Tapanuli Police Chief AKBP Johanson said in revealing the practice of buying and selling protected animals, the police arrested two suspects.

The identities of the two suspects, respectively, have the initials LRS (33) residents of North Tapanuli and S (44) residents of Pidie, Aceh.

"The two suspects were arrested at different locations in North Tapanuli recently," he said as reported by ANTARA, Tuesday, August 9.

He explained that the disclosure of the case stems from information from the public that there is a practice of buying and selling protected animals in the North Tapanuli area.

Based on the report, the police conducted an investigation and arrested the two suspects along with evidence of 38 kilograms of pangolin scales and 10 hornbill beaks.

"It is estimated that all the protected animals that are traded are worth Rp. 2 billion," he said.

The two suspects and the evidence are currently being held at the North Tapanuli Police Headquarters for further legal proceedings.

"Both of them are charged with Article 21 paragraph (2) letter a and d in conjunction with Article 40 paragraph (2) of Law Number 5 of 1990 concerning Conservation of Biological Natural Resources and Ecosystems," he said.