Joint Border Operation Foils Smuggling of 2,253 Turtle Eggs in West Kalimantan

RRI.CO.ID, Bengkayang - A routine tip from wildlife authorities across the border cracked open a cross-border wildlife trafficking case at one of West Kalimantan's busiest land crossings. The operation led to the seizure of 2,253 turtle eggs and the arrest of an Indonesian suspect.

The joint operation, carried out by personnel from the Jagoi Babang National Border Crossing Post (PLBN), Malaysia's Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC), and Indonesia's Border Security Task Force Company-Level Unit (SSK) II, intercepted the smuggling attempt in the Jagoi Babang border zone, Bengkayang Regency, West Kalimantan.

SSK II Border Task Force Commander, Second Lieutenant Krisna, said the breakthrough began not on the Indonesian side, but with a discovery made across the border.

"This case came to light from a report by the Sarawak Forestry Corporation regarding the discovery of turtle eggs at a lodging house in Serikin Market, Bau, Malaysia," said Krisna in Bengkayang on Sunday, May 17, 2026.

Following swift coordination between the SFC and the PLBN Jagoi Babang, officers identified a 36-year-old Indonesian national, identified by the initials SO, as the occupant of the lodging where the eggs were found. The eggs had been concealed inside cardboard boxes, buckets, and baskets.

Authorities then conducted a joint inspection at the zero-point area of the PLBN Jagoi Babang, where the suspect and the seized evidence underwent preliminary examination. Investigators believe SO had attempted to smuggle the turtle eggs through forest trails surrounding the border crossing, aided by a local motorcycle courier.

The case also revealed a prior pattern of suspicious activity. "Previously, the individual had also attempted to bring in guinea pigs and geese through the PLBN Jagoi Babang, but was turned away by quarantine officials as the animals did not meet import-export regulations," said Krisna, as quoted by Antara.

Despite being taken in for questioning, SO offered little information about the origin of the eggs, only admitting he had obtained them from an unidentified individual.

Officers secured a substantial body of physical evidence from the suspect, which are 2,253 turtle eggs, two cardboard boxes wrapped in black plastic, three white baskets, one orange bucket, 2,650 Malaysian ringgit in cash, one Malaysian SIM card, and a mobile phone.

The suspect and all seized evidence were subsequently handed over to the Sarawak Forestry Corporation for further legal proceedings under applicable Malaysian law.

Krisna said the successful interdiction reflects the growing importance of bilateral wildlife protection cooperation along the Indonesia-Malaysia border.

He described the operation as part of broader cross-border surveillance efforts aimed at curbing the illegal trade in protected species and other unlawful activities in the frontier zone. This region remains a persistent vulnerability in the fight against wildlife trafficking due to its remote forest trails and high cross-border traffic. ***