Three Processes Of Rusar Horns Successfully Secured By Maluku BKSDA At Yos Sudarso Port

Maluku BKSDA forestry police officers while securing a deer horn double at Yos Sudarso Port Ambon. (DOC. ANTARA)

Tiga opanton antler deer yang ditemukan di sebuah katon di area port berhasil diamankan Petugas Polisi Kehutanan Pelabuhan Yos Sudarso Ambon Balai Perservasi Sumber Alam (BKSDA) Provinsi Maluku.

"The discovery began when officers carried out routine checks using an X-ray machine at the entrance to Yos Sudarso Port," said the Maluku BKSDA Forestry Police (Polhut) Seto in Ambon, as reported by ANTARA, Saturday, February 22.

During the X-ray examination, it was seen that a suspicious object was wrapped in a brown cardboard. After the cardboard was opened by officers, it turned out that the contents of the cardboard were in accordance with those detected in the X-ray image, which were three deer horn hangers.

This evidence was secured by Maluku BKSDA officers in collaboration with members of the Yos Sudarso port area (KPYS), X-ray officers from Pelindo, and the owner of the goods.

The owner of the item, who did not want to be named, explained that the deer head was given by his friend as a souvenir. He plans to take the item to Surabaya using the KM Labobar ship.

After being given an understanding of Law no. 5 of 1990 related to the protection of wild plants and animals (TSL), the owner of the goods voluntarily handed over the deer horn man to the Maluku BKSDA officers.

The officers then secured the evidence at the Yos Sudarso Port Post before being taken to the KSDA Balai Office. Furthermore, the deer hornhead was handed over to the BKSDA protection officer at the Cengkeh Ambon Garden for further safekeeping.

The Maluku BKSDA emphasized that trade or ownership of protected wildlife without a permit is a violation of the law that can be subject to sanctions in accordance with applicable regulations.

"With this arrest, the Maluku BKSDA again reminds the public to always comply with existing regulations to preserve flora and fauna, as well as prevent illegal trade that can damage the ecosystem," he said.

Based on the provisions of Law no. 5 of 1990 concerning Conservation of Biological Natural Resources and their Ecosystems that anyone with intent to arrest, injure, kill, store, possess, maintain, transport, and trade protected animals (Article 21 paragraph (2) letter a), is threatened with a maximum imprisonment of five years and a maximum fine of Rp. 100 million (Article 40 paragraph (2)).