Polresta Barelang Kepri Failed To Spray Lobster Seeds Through The Port

Evidence of lobster clear seeds that were confiscated when they were about to be smuggled at the Sekupang International Ferry Port, Batam City, Riau Islands, Wednesday (5/2/2025). ANTARA/Laily Rahmawaty.

The Barelang Police, Riau Islands, thwarted the smuggling of 11,543 lobster seeds to be brought to Singapore via Sekupang International Ferry Port, Batam City, last Wednesday.

Head of Criminal Investigation Unit of the Barelang Police, AKP Debby Tri Andrestian, said that the disclosure of this case began with public reports regarding suspicious activities at the port.

"From this information, Unit V of Certain Crimes (Tipidter) of the Barelang Police conducted an investigation and coordinated with related parties at the port," he said in Barelang, Antara, Thursday, January 6.

During the investigation, officers examined the passenger's luggage and found an unclaimed suitcase and was not registered in the passenger's manifest. After an inspection, the no-man's suitcase contains aluminum-coated bags in which lobster seeds are alive.

"The team then secured two port porters, the initials MH and FA for questioning," he said.

From the inspection, he said, information was obtained that the suitcase was known to belong to an unidentified passenger and left for the ship's departure to Singapore at 15.20 WIB.

He said investigators secured evidence in the form of a blue suitcase, bags containing lobster seeds as many as 11,543 sand Lobster and Mutiara were estimated at IDR 1.5 billion, 13 passenger manifests, and 36 boarding passes.

"Currently, an investigation is still being carried out to reveal the main perpetrators in this case," said Debby.

The first officer of the National Police explained that the smuggling of lobster seeds violated Article 27 point 26 Juncto Article 5 paragraph (1) of Law Number 6 of 2023 concerning Stipulation of Government Regulations in Lieu of Law Number 2 of 2022 concerning Job Creation into Law and/or Article 88 in conjunction with Article 16 paragraph (1) of Law of the Republic of Indonesia Number 45 of 2009 concerning Amendments to Law Number 31 of 2004 concerning Fisheries.

According to him, this disclosure is a reminder of the importance of maintaining Indonesia's fishery resources and enforcing applicable legal regulations.

"The Barelang Police appealed to the public to immediately report any suspicious activities related to illegal practices in the fisheries sector," said Debby.

Furthermore, the tens of thousands of lobster seeds are planned to be released into the Riau Islands Waters for the sustainability of their lives.