Tempted By Big Profits, 3 Perpetrators In Sumbawa NTB Sell Green Turtle Meat To Bali

Head of Public Relations of the NTB Police, Kombes Police Arman Asmara Syarifuddin (front left) and Head of Gakkum Ditpolairud Polda NTB Kompol Agus Purwanta/ANTARA

The West Nusa Tenggara Regional Police managed to dismantle the green turtle meat sales business by arresting three perpetrators who live in Sumbawa Regency. Head of Public Relations of the NTB Police, Kombes Arman Asmara Syarifuddin, said the green turtle meat sales business was revealed from the results of supervision by the Directorate of Water and Air Police (Ditpolairud) of the NTB Police. "From this case, we have named the three perpetrators as suspects with evidence of 10 boxes of Styrofoam containing green turtle meat," said Arman when releasing the case in Mataram, Antara, Tuesday, August 1. The three suspects from Sumbawa Regency had the initials IGS (35), IGR (45), and SM (65). "Against the suspect, investigators apply criminal charges regulated in the Law on Conservation of Biological Natural Resources and Ecosystems as well as the Law on Animal, Fish and Plant Quarantine," he said. The regulation relates to Article 40 paragraph (2) and/or paragraph (4) in conjunction with Article 21 paragraph (2) letter b of Law of the Republic of Indonesia Number 5 of 1990 concerning Conservation of Biological Natural Resources and Ecosystem jo. Article 55 Paragraph (1) of the 1st Criminal Code and/or Article 88 letter a jo. Article 35 paragraph (1) letter a RI Law No. 21 of 2019 concerning Animal Quarantine, Fish and Plants jo. Article 55 paragraph (1) of the 1st Criminal Code. "In the criminal regulation that we suspect, the three suspects are threatened with imprisonment for a maximum of eight years with a maximum fine of Rp. 1.5 billion," said Arman. Head of the Law Enforcement Unit of the Polairud Directorate of the NTB Police, Kompol Agus Purwanta, explained that the disclosure of the case began when officers detained the IGS. "Initially we arrested the IGS who was driving a truck at Kayangan Harbor on Tuesday night, July 25, 2023. In the transport truck, 10 boxes of Styrofoam were found containing green turtle meat," said Agus. In one box it contains green turtle meat weighing 30 kilograms so that the total amount of green turtle meat confiscated by officers reaches 300 kilograms. "That's if it's sold for Rp45 million, assuming per kilogram it costs Rp150 thousand," he said. From the results of the interrogation of the IGS who acted as a truck driver, it was revealed that the green turtle meat was about to be dispatched to Bali to be handed over to the customer. "From the confession of the IGS, it was revealed who ordered and supplied the IGR as the person who ordered and SM as a supplier," he added. From the information from the IGS, the police then investigated the whereabouts of the other two perpetrators. "The results were on Thursday (27/7), we arrested both of them at their respective homes in the Sumbawa area," he said. From the results of the examination of SM, it was revealed that the green turtle meat sales business was a follow-up to a collaboration with someone from outside NTB. Regarding the person's role, investigators have obtained his identity and are still being investigated. In addition to recognizing other people's roles, SM also revealed to the police that he easily got the green turtle meat from the fishermen. "Buy from fishermen. The purchase price is Rp. 400 thousand to Rp. 600 thousand per head, depending on the shape and size. The heavier it is, the more expensive it is," he said. To investigators, SM admitted that he had twice sent the green turtle meat to Bali and sold it to several restaurants. SM runs the business because it is tempted by large profits. With the disclosure of this case, Agus hopes that the community will participate in monitoring the sustainability of the marine ecosystem, especially green turtles, including marine animals that are protected by the state.

"In accordance with government regulations, all types of turtles in Indonesia are protected animals," he said.