KLHK Will Develop Cases Of Sales Of 13 Black-headed Kasturi Birds In Central Papua

Law enforcement officials secure evidence of protected animal traders in the form of black-headed kasturi birds and chef's cockatoo cubs in Mimika/ANTARA

PAPUA - Directorate General of Law Enforcement of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (Gakkum KLHK) affirms its commitment to deepening and developing cases of protected wildlife traders in the Central Papua region. This was done following the disclosure of cases of illegal trafficking of dozens of Black-Head Kasturi Birds and Koki Brothersua which were carried out through social media Facebook. "We continue to develop this case to uncover a network of protected wildlife trade," said Head of the KLHK Balai Gakkum Maluku and Papua Region, Leonardo Gultom in a statement received in Jakarta, Antara, Friday, March 24. Previously, on March 22, 2023, the live and forestry langkle law enforcement team consisting of the Kangaroo Brigade Rapid Response Forest Police Unit together with Papuan Police personnel arrested an illegal trading perpetrator online, the Karturi and Kakaktua birds in Mimika Regency, Central Papua Province. From the hands of the perpetrators, the team secured 13 pieces of the Black-headed Kasturi Bird and three of Koki's brother-in-law. Gakkum KLHK ensnared the perpetrator with a maximum prison sentence of five years and a maximum fine of Rp. 100 million. Leonardo said that the government is committed to protecting Indonesia's biological resources, especially from the crime of protected wild plants and animals. The government through the Ministry of Environment and Forestry Law Enforcement continues to strengthen various collaborations with law enforcement officials and other institutions to preserve these protected wild plants and animals. In addition, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry Gakkum continues to strengthen the use of technology starting from cyber patrols and intelligence centers to supervise the trade of protected animals. To date, nationally, the KLHK Gakkum has carried out 1,915 environmental security operations and forest areas in Indonesia, 453 of which are in the form of wild plant and animal operations and 1,366 criminal and civil cases have been brought to court, both related to corporate and individual crimes.