Selling Langka Animals In Social Media, An Bekasi Citizen Arrested

Illegal animals that were rescued by the Agricultural Quarantine Center from smuggling. Bandarlampung, Monday, (9/1/2023). (ANTARA)

The Directorate General of Environmental and Forestry Law Enforcement (Ditjen Gakkum) of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry arrested and arrested one perpetrator selling online parts of endangered animals or protected animals in Bekasi City, West Java.

Acting Director of Prevention and Security of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry Sustyo Iriyono said his party secured parts of rare animals such as leopard bodies (Panthera pardus melas) in the form of a pair of front legs, a pair of back legs, tail, body and head skin, and one turtle density, as well as a cell phone.

"The disclosure of the case of the circulation of protected wild plants and animals began with public reports about the sale of leopard body parts on Facebook's social media accounts. This information was then followed up by the Cyber Patrol Team of the Directorate General of Gakkum KLHK," he said, quoted by Antara, Monday, January 16.

After tracking and profiling the sales account on Facebook, the LHK Gakkum Team conducted a TSL Circulation Operation that was protected by law in West Java Province, and managed to secure the perpetrator with the initials MR (22) who will conduct transactions to sell parts of the leopard body on Thursday, January 12, at 23.15 WIB.

The incident occurred at the Cibubur Inn Hotel Parking Jalan Alternative Cibubur Number 99 RT02/RW08 Jatisampurna, Jatisampurna District, Bekasi City, West Java.

For this action, the perpetrator was handed over to investigators from the Balai Gakkum LHK for the Jabarnusra Region for further investigation.

The perpetrator was named a suspect and charged with a maximum imprisonment of five years and a maximum fine of Rp. 100 million. He was detained at the Bekasi Police Detention Center.

"The crime of trafficking in protected wild plants and animals is an extraordinary crime. We have formed a Cyber Patrol Team which is tasked with monitoring the trade in wild plants and animals on social media to tackle the illegal circulation of protected wildlife online (online)," he said.

Throughout 2022, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry will monitor 638 accounts and 1,163 protected wildlife content. This shows that currently the mode of trading in illegal animals is growing using social media, such as Facebook, Instagram, Tokopedia, Kaskus, and Youtube.

The social media most widely used by protected wildlife and plant traders in 2021 is Facebook with a percentage of 97.65 percent.

"We have collaborated with the Ministry of Communication and Information to close accounts and content that are suspected of carrying out transactions of trade in protected wildlife," said Sustyo.

The Director General of Law Enforcement at the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Rasio Ridho Sani, stated that his party was consistent and did not stop taking action against perpetrators of environmental and forestry crimes.

The LHK Law Enforcement continues to develop various technologies, such as the Cyber Patrol and Intelligence Center to strengthen environmental and forestry law enforcement.

"The success of the KLHK Law Enforcement in the prosecution of protected animal crimes is thanks to the support of technology and the commitment and seriousness of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry in saving the natural resources and sustainability of Indonesian wild plants and animals," he said.

In recent years, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry has carried out 1,864 forest prevention and security operations, 455 of which are operations for the circulation of wild plants and animals that are protected by law.

The Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) has secured 219,174 wild animals and 11,870 pieces of wildlife.

"Given the importance of the function of protected animals for the sustainability of biodiversity and ecosystems as well as conservation areas, firm action against perpetrators of this animal crime must be taken. Perpetrators must be punished severely, so that there is a deterrent effect. I have ordered investigators to investigate the involvement of other perpetrators," said Rasio Sani.