Forestry Officers Raid Bekasi Warehouse in Reptile Smuggling Case

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesian Ministry of Forestry, through the Directorate General of Forestry Law Enforcement (Gakkum Kehutanan), collaborated with the DKI Jakarta Natural Resources Conservation Center (BKSDA), the Civil Servant Investigator Bureau of the National Police Criminal Investigation Department, the Police Intelligence and Security Agency, and the Indonesian Military Police Command to raid an animal warehouse in Bekasi City on Thursday, June 4, 2026.

The raid, authorized by the Bekasi District Court, developed from a case in April 2026 where officials thwarted an attempt to smuggle 103 reptiles inside check-in luggage at Soekarno-Hatta Airport. At the warehouse, the joint team discovered and confiscated 11 protected green tree pythons (Morelia viridis), which have since been handed over to the DKI Jakarta BKSDA for further care.

The legal case began when Aviation Security personnel at Soekarno-Hatta Airport intercepted two foreign nationals from the Netherlands and Lithuania trying to smuggle 103 reptiles out of Indonesia in their suitcases.

The seized animals consisted of several protected species from various reptile families. First, regarding the snakes, the intercepted luggage contained green tree pythons (Morelia viridis) and Boelen's pythons (Simalia boeleni). For the monitor lizards, officials identified unique species, including the earless monitor lizard (Lanthanotus borneensis). Finally, in terms of tree-dwelling monitors, the shipment also included green tree monitors (Varanus prasinus) and Waigeo monitor lizards (Varanus boehmei).

Following an evaluation of evidence and witness testimonies, the two foreign nationals were named suspects and placed on the official Wanted List (DPO). Investigators are currently coordinating with the Embassy of the Netherlands, Lithuanian representatives, INTERPOL, and relevant agencies to track down the fugitives. Digital forensics and witness interrogations led investigators to the Bekasi warehouse, proving the location was used to buy, hoard, and pack the reptiles before the attempted smuggling.

The Director General of Forestry Law Enforcement, Dwi Januanto Nugroho, emphasized that protected wildlife trafficking has evolved into an organized, transnational crime with a highly structured chain operating from hunting sites to packaging and shipping.

"The state must be present early at the source, not just react when the animals arrive at the airport. The Forestry Law Enforcement Agency is committed to closing illegal hunting, storage, and shipping areas. This is not the responsibility of a single institution. Regional administrations, area managers, businesses, shipping services, communities, and the public need to participate in ensuring that protected animals survive in the wild, instead of becoming commodities on the foreign black market," Dwi Januanto Nugroho said as quoted on Ministry of Forestry's official website.

The Director of Forestry Criminal Enforcement, Rudianto Saragih Napitu, added that investigators are digging deeper into the connection between the warehouse owner or operator in Bekasi and the two foreign suspects. Authorities are tracing how the animals were acquired, how the packaging was managed, who acted as the liaison, and if other parties were involved. This ongoing expansion aims to tear down the root of the illegal trade network, including those who manage, fund, or profit from the operation.

The suspects face charges under Article 40A Paragraph (2) Letter b in conjunction with Article 21 Paragraph (2) Letter e of Law Number 32/2024 concerning the Amendment to Law Number 5/1990 regarding the Conservation of Living Natural Resources and Their Ecosystems. Under these provisions, the perpetrators face a minimum of 3 years and a maximum of 10 years in prison, along with criminal fines ranging from Category IV to Category VI.

The Ministry of Forestry issued a strict warning to the public, businesses, shipping services, and transportation operators against catching, keeping, buying, selling, packing, or assisting in the shipment of protected wildlife. Any suspicious activities or offers involving wildlife should be reported immediately to authorities to ensure Indonesia's natural wealth remains preserved in its native habitat. ***