Customs And Excise Thwarts The Smuggling Of Protected Animals By Men From India

Evidence of protected animals in the state/ Photo: IST

TANGERANG - Customs and Excise at Soekarno-Hatta Airport (Soetta) arrested a foreign national (WN) from India with the initials STH (43) on suspicion of smuggling four protected animals.

Head of Customs and Excise at Soetta Airport, Gatot Sugeng Wibowo, said the alleged perpetrator was carrying luggage containing protected animals, two primates of the Lutung Budeng (Trachypithecus auratus), one King Ambon Nuri Bird and one Javanese Serindit Bird.

He said the modus operandi of the perpetrators was to disguise their luggage with food and toys.

"The perpetrator hid in a plastic box and an animal bag and disguised it with food, clothes, and toys," Gatot told reporters, Tuesday, November 5.

Gatot explained that the disclosure began with information related to the officers' suspicion of the passenger's suitcase with the initials STH which was recorded as entering the trunk of the IndiGo Airlines (6E-1602) flight route Jakarta (CGK) Mumbai (BOM).

On this suspicion, the Customs and Excise team together with Aviation Security at Soekarno Hatta Airport took action against the suitcase and summoned the alleged perpetrator.

From the results of the examination, STH claimed to have received the four protected animals from the animal market in the East Jakarta area. The plan is that the perpetrators will make it a gift for their children and families in India.

"The perpetrator admitted that this animal will be given to his child as a birthday gift," he said.

For the suspect's actions, the perpetrator was charged with Article 102A of Law Number 17 of 2006 concerning Amendments to Law Number 10 of 1995 concerning Customs with a maximum penalty of 10 years and a maximum fine of IDR 5 billion.

"And also subject to Article 87 of Law Number 21 of 2019 concerning Animal, Fish and Plant Quarantine with a maximum penalty of 3 years and a maximum fine of IDR 3 billion," he said.