Police Thwart Smuggling Of 50 Thousand Lobster Seeds, Potential State Loss Of IDR 7.5 Billion

Korpolairud Baharkam Polri. (doc Polri)

JAKARTA - Korpolairud Baharkam Polri thwarted the practice of smuggling illegal lobster clear seeds (BBL) in the Cidaun area, Cianjur Regency, West Java. A total of 50 thousand BBLs were confiscated.

"During the investigation, officers found 7 cardboard boxes containing around 50 thousand BBL," said Director of the Waters Police Korpolairud Baharkam Polri, Brigadier General Idil Tabransyah in his statement, Wednesday, September 17.

The original disclosure of the smuggling began with the Joint Sub-Directorate of Water Patrol and Sub-Directorate of Gakkum Ditpolair Korpolairud Baharkam Polri stopping a vehicle suspected of transporting fuel cargo on Tuesday, September 16, early in the morning.

Then, an examination was carried out and tens of thousands of BBL was obtained. With this finding, a person with the initials JVQ (40) was immediately secured.

"In addition, a cell phone belonging to the suspect was secured. For the purpose of developing the investigation, the origin of the cargo and other details related to the delivery cannot be published at this time," he said.

Based on the results of the interim examination, JVQ has made several deliveries on the orders of a collector with the initials D.

In addition, the suspect also received a wage of around Rp. 1.7 million for one delivery of BBL

From the preliminary calculations, the potential loss to the state due to this smuggling effort reached IDR 7.5 billion, assuming the price of the black market for lobster seeds is around IDR 150 thousand per head.

"All evidence and suspects have been secured at the Mako Ditpolair Korpolairud Baharkam Polri. Officers are also coordinating with the Animal, Fish and Plant Quarantine Agency of Banten Province to carry out disbursement and release of lobster seeds into the sea," said Idul.

The National Police, said Idil, will continue to tighten supervision of illegal fishing practices and BBL smuggling.

This action clearly violates the Fishery Law. Shipping and trading lobster clear seeds without permission not only harms the country up to billions of rupiah, but also threatens the sustainability of our marine resources. The National Police is committed to taking firm action against every perpetrator and party involved," he said.