JAKARTA - The cyber patrol team of the Directorate General of Law Enforcement of the Ministry of Forestry (Gakkum Kemenhut) revealed a network of elephant ivory trade in Bali and arrested a suspect.
Head of the Regional Gakkumhut Office of the Ministry of Social Affairs for Java Bali Nusa Tenggara, Aswin Bangun, explained that the case was revealed when the cyber patrol team observed social media uploads offering objects allegedly from the body of a protected animal, which was then followed by an operation in Tampaksiring, Gianyar Regency on April 14-15, 2026 together with the Bali Police.
"Cases like this require accuracy because the evidence is no longer in the form of the animal's body in its entirety, but has been transformed into a craft object. Investigators must ensure that the type of goods, the status of animal protection, possession of goods, and elements of trade can be legally proven," said Aswin as quoted by ANTARA, Wednesday, June 3.
He explained that from two locations of art shops in Gianyar, the team secured a number of evidence in the form of craft objects, carvings, and parts suspected of being elephant ivory. Based on the results of the examination, the investigators then named IKS as a suspect, with the current development of the investigation file being declared complete and will be forwarded to the Public Prosecutor.
The suspect of IKS was charged with the criminal provision in Law Number 32 of 2024 concerning Amendments to Law Number 5 of 1990 concerning the Conservation of Living Natural Resources and their Ecosystems. This provision regulates the prohibition of storing, possessing, transporting, trading, or trading specimens, parts, or goods made from protected animal parts.
In the same statement, the Director General of Gakkum, Ministry of Finance, Dwi Januanto Nugroho, reminded that the trade in elephant ivory and parts of protected animals was a serious threat to Indonesia's biodiversity.
"As long as objects like these are still seen as collectibles, decorations, or items of economic value, illegal hunting and trading will continue to have a market. Therefore, conservation enforcement not only processes cases, but also closes trading spaces and builds public awareness of protected animals, not commodities," he explained.
Regarding this, he asked the public not to buy, store, and sell parts of protected animals. The public is also asked to report when they see attempts to trade protected animals and their body parts.
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