The Coastal Police of Bara revealed that the smuggling of thousands of illegal lobster fries or seeds has the potential to cause state losses of Rp. 1.4 billion.
"The collector who is also the perpetrator of the smuggling was arrested in Bengkunat District, West Coast Regency, Lampung. If lobster fry are successfully sent abroad, then state losses can reach Rp1.3 to Rp1.4 billion," said West Coast Police Chief AKBP Alsya Hendra, during a press conference at the West Coast Police Headquarters, Lampung, Tuesday, February 28, which was confiscated by Antara.
He said the police had confiscated evidence of 6,610 marine lobster seeds which were divided into two types, namely pearl fry and sand fry.
"Evidence from the suspect was one white box, one black plastic, and 36 clear plastic containing lobster seeds and four cellphones belonging to the perpetrator," he said.
From the information of the arrested suspect, each lobster fry is sold at a price of Rp. 15 thousand to Rp. 20,000 per head.
"From the suspect's statement, the fry will be smuggled out of town and then exported abroad," he said.
He said, if the illegal sale of fry is not stopped or prevented, state losses will continue to increase.
Therefore, he appealed to the public to assist the police in uncovering the illegal business of selling this marine lobster fry.
"The existence of lobster fry must be maintained, so that the community, especially fishermen, can take advantage of these marine resources continuously, and fishermen should not be easily influenced by irresponsible people by catching fry at sea," he also said.
He said the police would continue to develop this case.
"The three suspects face a maximum prison sentence of eight years, and we are still hunting for the perpetrators or the brains of the illegal business," he said.
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