The Joint Team Captures the Deer Hunting Perpetrators on Komodo Island

The joint team while securing three suspected perpetrators of illegal hunting of protected animals of the deer type on Komodo Island, Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai Regency, NTT (ANTARA/HO-Public Relations of West Manggarai Police)

LABUAN BAJO - A joint patrol team arrested three people who were hunting for protected animals of the deer type on Komodo Island, Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).

"They were arrested by a joint patrol team after hunting deer on Komodo Island," said West Manggarai Police Chief AKBP Christian Kadang, quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, December 16.

The suspected perpetrators hunted deer using firearms within the Komodo animal habitat area. The three suspected perpetrators who were arrested were each given the initials Y (36), A (37), and A (35).

"The suspected perpetrators are from Bima Regency, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB)," he said.

The perpetrators were secured in a joint patrol held by the West Manggarai Police, Law Enforcement (Gakkum) of the Komodo National Park Office (BTNK), Ditpolairud Polda NTT, and Korpolairud Baharkam Polri.

The joint patrol, he continued, was carried out based on an official request from the BTNK due to information on illegal hunting activities in the Komodo National Park (TNK) conservation area.

"We received information that there was a hunt for deer by irresponsible members of the community within the TNK area," he explained.

After receiving information about the hunt for deer on Saturday (13/12), a joint team from the police and Gakkum BTNK officers, moved to the target location at night.

On Sunday (14/12) early morning at around 02.00 Wita, the joint team found a boat that matched the characteristics of the target.

"Based on information from the community, a joint team was immediately sent to carry out the operation, until finally the officers managed to arrest these poachers," he said.

During the arrest attempt, the suspected perpetrators' boat fled and resisted by firing at the patrol team's speedboat, resulting in a chase and gun contact in Komodo Island waters.

After several warning shots, officers finally stopped the boat of the suspected perpetrators.

Three suspected perpetrators were secured, while others fled to the sea and are still being searched.

"They were arrested by a joint patrol team in the waters of Loh Srikaya, Komodo Island and before they were arrested, there was a chase and chase until there was a shootout between the suspected perpetrators and officers," he said.

After being arrested, the three suspected perpetrators were immediately taken to Labuan Bajo. In the process of processing the crime scene (TKP), officers managed to find a number of evidence in the gray-colored unnamed boat.

"The evidence seized was a male deer, one long-barreled rifle with a complete assembly with one magazine and 10 bullets. Then, two blades, three bags, one mobile phone unit, flashlight, mat, and other equipment," he said.

For their actions, the suspected perpetrators were charged with layers of articles on the use of illegal firearms and hunting protected wildlife, namely Article 1 paragraph 1 of the Emergency Law No. 12 of 1951 together with Article 40 paragraph 2 of Law No. 5 of 1990 concerning the conservation of biological natural resources, as well as together with Articles 55 and 56 of the Criminal Code.

"Currently, the suspected perpetrators are in the process of direct investigation by joint officers from the National Police and Gakkum BTNK. They are threatened with life imprisonment," he said.

He also appealed to the public not to hunt protected wildlife. If there are people who know about illegal acts, he asks that they report to the nearest police or other related agencies.

"Komodo Island is a world conservation area, there is no tolerance for hunting protected animals. We will continue to increase patrols and take firm action against perpetrators of crimes," he said.