Police Arrest Elephant Ivory Hunting In North Aceh

Evidence of the Sumatran elephant tusk taken by the Mando suspect by killing protected wildlife has been secured by the Lhokseumawe Police, in Lhokseumawe, Thursday (30/5/2024). (ANTARA/HO/Lhokseumawe Police)

BANDA ACEH - Lhokseumawe Police, Aceh arrested a man with the initials Ju alias Mando (48) from Gampong Alue Dua, Nisam Antara District, North Aceh Regency on suspicion of killing and hunting elephant ivory in the local jurisdiction.

"We have found only one suspect and we have also found evidence," said Lhokseumawe Police Chief AKBP Henki Ismanto as quoted by ANTARA, Thursday, May 30.

Previously, on Saturday (23/4), at around 20.00 WIB, the police found the carcass of an elephant in a resident's plantation area, precisely at KM 35 Dusun Jabal Antara, Nisam Antara District, North Aceh.

The elephant carcass was found in a state of missing or cut ivory from its trunk, and indicated the practice of hunting protected animals.

After conducting an investigation, the police were finally able to identify the suspect in the killing and taking of the elephant tusk, namely Ju alias Mando.

AKBP Henki said that Mando had moved hiding places. Until finally, his whereabouts were known on Tuesday (21/5).

At that time, Mando was in Bungkah Village, Batu District, North Aceh, so an ambush was carried out in the Nisam District area.

Based on Mando's statement, continued Hekki, evidence of elephant tusk taken was hidden by planting it in an oil palm plantation area in Padang Sikabu Village, Woyla District, West Aceh.

"We secured two elephant ivory from the suspect and two remaining tusk that had not been taken from his trunk, then a black Honda Supra X 125 motorcycle as evidence," he said.

For his actions, Mando was charged with Article 40 paragraph (2) in conjunction with Article 21 of Law Number 05 of 1990 concerning the conservation of Biological Natural Resources and Ecosystems, with a maximum prison sentence of five years.

"Currently, the suspect is still being detained at the Lhokseumawe Police for further legal proceedings in accordance with applicable legal provisions," said AKBP Henki Ismanto.