RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Acting on intelligence regarding the illicit trade of marine resources, the Second Fleet Quick Response (SFQR) team from the Cilacap Naval Base (Lanal) successfully thwarted a major lobster seed smuggling operation on Saturday, April 18, 2026, on Jalan Lingkar Timur, Karangkandri Village, Cilacap Regency, Central Java.

The operation was detailed in an official Navy press release received in Jakarta on Monday, April 20, 2026, which noted that the bust originated from routine patrols conducted along the coastal stretches of the Kesugihan Subdistrict.

During the surveillance, officers flagged down a motorcyclist transporting a suspicious styrofoam box. Upon inspection, the team discovered hundreds of packaged lobster seeds hidden inside.

"The SFQR team secured a man named Kasimin, who is suspected of transporting clear lobster seeds without official documents using a motorcycle and one styrofoam box," said Head of the Navy Information Service, First Admiral Tunggul, as quoted by Antara.

Following the apprehension, the suspect and the confiscated goods were escorted to the Cilacap Naval Base for an intensive investigation. Experts from the Marine and Fisheries Resources Surveillance (PSDKP) were also summoned to verify the evidence.

"Based on the examination results, the number of clear lobster seeds secured reached 5,859, consisting of both sand and pearl varieties. From this discovery, the state is estimated to have faced a potential loss of up to IDR 2.5 billion (USD 145)," explained Tunggul.

The Navy has since handed over the suspect and the biological evidence to PSDKP authorities for further legal proceedings. Tunggul emphasized that this successful interception serves as a firm testament to the Indonesian Navy's dedication to protecting the nation's natural wealth from illegal exploitation.

He assured that personnel on the ground will continue to heighten surveillance across vulnerable coastal areas to prevent future smuggling attempts of illegal commodities. ***