Smuggling Of 383,615 Baby Lobster Tails Thwarted By Lanal Palembang, State Loss Of IDR 38 Billion

There were 383,615 news conferences for smuggling of baby lobsters in the southern waters of Jambi Province in Lanal Palembang, Friday (25/4/2025). (ANTARA/M Imam Pramana)

Palembang Naval Base (Lanal) managed to thwart the smuggling of 383,615 baby lobsters in the southern waters north of Jambi Province.

The smuggling was revealed on Wednesday, April 23 at around 23:50 WIB, when patrol personnel detected a wooden boat without lighting passing through the area.

The Commander of Lanal Palembang, Marine Colonel (P) Faisal, revealed that the suspected ship carried 72 boxes of styrofoam containing sand, pearl and bamboo lobster seeds.

"When security was carried out, members found three crew members of the ship who are currently named suspects," explained Faisal in Palembang, Antara, Friday, April 25.

The ship was suspected of wanting to send a baby lobster to another detected ship for smuggling abroad. However, because the destination ship has high speed, further investigations are underway to uncover this smuggling network.

Civil Servant Investigator (PPNS) of Marine and Fishery Resources Supervision (PSDKP), Syafril, revealed that 383,615 confiscated lobster seeds consisted of

382,295 sand species, 338 pearl and 982 bamboo species

Based on price estimates, the type of sand is estimated to cost IDR 100,000 per head, the type of pearl is IDR 150,000 per head, and the type of bamboo is estimated at around IDR 100,000 per head. The total state loss due to this smuggling is estimated at more than IDR 38 billion.

Colonel Faisal added that the disclosure of this case supports President Prabowo Subianto's Astacita program regarding maritime security sovereignty.

He also emphasized that the Indonesian Navy, according to the direction of the Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Navy (KSAL) M Ali, will continue to be committed to carrying out security sovereignty over actions that violate the law and harm the state.

The Palembang Lanal and PSDKP are still conducting further investigations regarding the goals of smugglers and potential international lobster smuggling networks.