PSDKP Failed To Smuggle 85 Thousand Lobster Seeds In Riau Islands

PSDKP Director Pung Nugroho Saksono at the Batam PSDKP Base, Riau Islands, Thursday (10/10/2024). (ANTARA/Laily Rahmawaty)

The Directorate General of Marine and Fishery Resources Supervision (Ditjen PSDKP) again thwarted the smuggling of lobster or fry into neighboring countries of 85 thousand heads worth Rp. 13 billion.

"This is not a small nominal, with routine operations that we carry out, it can prevent the smuggling of lobster seeds into neighboring countries," said PSDKP Director Pung Nugroho Saksono at the Batam PSDKP Base, Riau Islands, Antara, Thursday, October 10.

Present in the release of the disclosure of the case, Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) Sakti Wahyu Trenggono and his staff.

Ipunk, Pung Nugroho's nickname, explained that the lobster seeds were rescued before being transferred by the perpetrators to a fast boat.

"So, before being transferred to a fast boat, we managed to prevent it," he said.

However, the perpetrators of the smuggling fled again and are in pursuit.

He said there had been a chase between the marine patrol team and the perpetrators, so that it was successfully ran aground on the island of the Moon, Riau Islands.

"Because last night we chased him, so the atmosphere was dark, we couldn't catch up anymore, but we can secure everything," he said.

The perpetrators carried the seeds in 49 boxes that had been modified for the lobster life period during the trip.

It is estimated that the ship carrying lobster seeds from the Sumatra region was brought to Vietnam via Singapore.

Previously, PSDKP had also repeatedly thwarted the smuggling of lobster seeds in the Riau Islands region.

According to Ipunk, his party does not only stop here, will conduct an in-depth investigation of the owner and other information.

"So that the suspect is hit, we will find the information, who is the owner, we will develop it, then the PSDKP Base will follow up," said Ipunk.

On August 22, 2024, PSDKP and Customs and Excise thwarted the smuggling of 795 thousand lobster seeds or fries worth Rp90 billion.

On August 28, 2024, 177,300 lobster seeds worth Rp17.7 billion were rescued from Penemparan Island and Abang Island, Riau Islands.

Then, September 3, PSDKP and Customs and Excise released 275 thousand lobster seeds from the operation to save from smuggling in Riau Islands waters.