Police in Jembrana, Bali, Arrest Tree Men for Smuggling Green Sea Turtles
Jembrana, Bali – In a significant crackdown on wildlife smuggling, the Jembrana police in Bali have apprehended three individuals involved in the illegal trafficking of green sea turtles, scientifically known as Chelonia mydas. The suspects, identified by their initials as SD (55), AU (32), and ML (35), are residents of Tuwed Village in the Melaya District of Jembrana Regency.
The head of Bali Police, Inspector General Daniel Adityajaya, reported that investigations revealed the turtles were being smuggled for distribution to Kedonganan in the Badung Regency area of Bali. The police were alerted to the operation and swiftly intercepted the suspects.
Smuggling Method Revealed
According to Inspector General Adityajaya, the perpetrators attempted to deceive police officers by concealing a total of 29 turtles under tarpaulin and masking their presence with plastic bags filled with wood powder. During an operation on Sunday, January 12, around 12:30 AM WITA, law enforcement officials successfully thwarted the smuggling attempt.
The police managed to secure a pickup truck, bearing the license plate DK 8266 WG, which was transporting the turtles from Jembrana to Denpasar City. The vehicle was stopped during its journey, leading to the detention of two of the suspects, AU and ML, who were in possession of the turtles.
Details of the Operation
Inspector General Adityajaya elaborated that AU acted as the driver responsible for delivering the turtles, while ML served as an accomplice accompanying AU. It was determined that the turtles had been obtained from a fisherman in the Moncar area of Banyuwangi Regency in East Java.
The smuggling operation reportedly involved transporting the turtles via boat to the beach at Pepoahan in the Negara area of Jembrana. Preliminary investigations indicated that the primary suspect, identified as SD, had been commissioned to procure the turtles by an individual known only by the moniker ‘Pak Butak,’ based in Kedonganan, Kuta.
Legal Action Taken
The investigation’s developments led to the arrest of SD at his residence in Tuwed Village. The three suspects are currently classified as suspects under the relevant Indonesian laws. They face charges under Article 21, paragraph (2), letter a, along with Article 40, paragraph (1), letter d, of Republic of Indonesia Law No. 32 of 2024, which amends Law No. 5 of 1990 regarding the preservation of biological natural resources and their ecosystems, as well as Article 55 of the Criminal Code.
In a related incident on the same day, a total of 19 green sea turtles, previously seized during a smuggling attempt, were discovered on the shore of Pirancak Village in Jembrana Regency.
The police have reiterated their commitment to combating wildlife trafficking and preserving Indonesia’s rich biodiversity.
Conclusion
The successful interception of this smuggling operation highlights the ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies to protect endangered species and enforce environmental laws. The case continues to draw attention to the urgent need for stricter measures against wildlife smuggling in Bali and the broader region.
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