RRI.CO.ID, Surabaya - The East Java Regional Police have dismantled a sophisticated inter-regional smuggling syndicate, exposing a lucrative black market where rare wildlife, including Komodo dragons, are trafficked for massive profits.

While the initial arrests focused on local logistics, the investigation has unveiled a hierarchical network of hunters, distributors, and financiers targeting international markets such as Thailand.

Director of Special Crimes at the East Java Regional Police, Sr. Com. Roy HM Sihombing, confirmed in Surabaya on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, that the crackdown, spanning from 2025 into early 2026, resulted in the detention of 11 suspects with distinct operational roles.

"The suspects ranged from hunters who took the Komodo dragons from Pota, Lombok, to the parties responsible for shipping and funding," he said, as quoted by Antara.

He emphasizes that such illegal trade severely disrupts ecosystem balances and threatens the nation's biodiversity. The financial scale of the operation is significant, with the syndicate reportedly trafficking 20 Komodo dragons between January 2025 and February 2026, generating transaction values of approximately IDR 565.9 million (USD 33,012.46).

Deputy Director of Special Crimes, Adj. Sr. Com. Hanif Fatih Wicaksono, explained that the investigation covers dual offenses involving conservation violations and animal quarantine breaches. These crimes fall under Law No. 32/2024 concerning the Conservation of Living Natural Resources and Law No. 21/ 2019 regarding Animal, Fish, and Plant Quarantine.

Hanif detailed that the first cluster of the investigation involves six suspects identified by their initials SD, RDJ, BM, RSL, JY, and VPP, who were intercepted at Surabaya’s Tanjung Perak Port in February 2026.

Investigation results show a staggering price markup. Hunters sold individual Komodo dragons for roughly IDR 5.5 million (USD 320.65), which then skyrocketed to IDR 31.5 million (USD 1,836.45) per head through a chain of domestic sellers before the animals were scheduled for overseas shipment.

"DNA testing has confirmed that the animals secured are indeed Komodo dragons (Varanus komodoensis) with 100 percent accuracy," added Hanif.

The scope of the syndicate’s activities extended beyond reptiles to include the trade of 16 Talaud and Tembung bearskin cuscuses involving four other suspects, with transactions valued at IDR 400 million (USD 23,330.44).

Searches also yielded green tree pythons, black kites, and Nile monitors. Furthermore, a collaborative effort with the Riau Regional Police led to the seizure of 140 kilograms of pangolin scales, equivalent to approximately 980 poached animals, estimated to be worth IDR 8.4 billion (USD 489,939.24).

As all 11 suspects remain in custody, authorities are widening their search to track the network's international connections. Roy concluded the briefing by reaffirming the police's stance on environmental crime.

"We are committed to taking firm action against crimes involving protected wildlife to preserve Indonesia's biological natural resources," he said. ***

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