RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The long-standing battle against illegal logging in Baluran National Park, Situbondo, East Java, has reached a decisive turning point as authorities move to prosecute a central figure in a sophisticated timber smuggling network.

The Ministry of Forestry's Law Enforcement Directorate General (Gakkum) has officially handed over a high-profile suspect, identified by the initials AH, along with critical evidence to the Banyuwangi District Attorney on April 30, 2026, marking the commencement of Phase II of the legal proceedings.

This transfer follows the declaration of a complete case file (P-21) on April 23, effectively ending a pursuit that spanned years. Director General of Forestry Law Enforcement, Dwi Januanto Nugroho, emphasized that this prosecution is a testament to the state's commitment to protecting biodiversity from illegal exploitation.

He asserted that national parks must remain ecological sanctuaries rather than commodities for illicit gain. "Law enforcement against the perpetrators of this case is not simply an attempt to punish the crime. It is a strategic step to ensure that conservation areas do not become a source of illegal economic supply and to ensure that forest products are managed legally and responsibly," said Dwi, based on the Ministry of Forestry Press Release on Wednesday, May 6, 2026.

The investigation reveals that AH was far from a mere foot soldier, he allegedly served as a vital field controller, coordinating the felling of timber and managing the logistics of moving stolen teak out of the conservation area. The case originally broke on November 16, 2023, following a high-speed chase by a joint task force in Wongsorejo, Banyuwangi.

While the suspects initially fled, leaving behind a vehicle loaded with 10 massive teak logs, the discovery provided the forensic trail needed to dismantle the wider syndicate, which had previously seen the conviction of another operative, HK.

Head of the Gakkum Office for the Java, Bali, and Nusa Tenggara region, Aswin Bangun, noted that the suspect’s time as a fugitive did not derail the investigation. After evading authorities by hopping between Denpasar and East Java, AH was eventually apprehended in Situbondo on March 4, 2026.

"This second phase proves that the case in Baluran did not stop at the initial stage but continued until the perpetrators were held accountable for their actions before the law," explained Aswin.

He added that the ministry is still actively tracing the supply chain to identify buyers and transporters who profited from the illegal teak.

As the case moves to the courtroom, AH faces severe charges under the Prevention and Abolition of Forest Destruction Act, as amended by the Job Creation Law. The prosecution aims to send a clear message to logging syndicates that the state will pursue every link in the criminal chain, ensuring that protected forests remain shielded from organized environmental crime. ***