Indonesia Foils Attempted Wildlife Smuggling to Oman at Soekarno-Hatta Airport

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesian Ministry of Forestry has thwarted an alleged attempt to smuggle endangered wildlife through Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Banten, underscoring the country’s determination to protect its biodiversity.

Investigators from the Forestry Law Enforcement Center for Java, Bali, and Nusa Tenggara (Balai Gakkum Jabalnusra) named a 40-year-old man, identified by initials AMR, as a suspect after he was caught trying to transport a Javan gibbon (Hylobates moloch) and a three-colored monitor lizard (Varanus yuwonoi) to Oman.

The operation was carried out with support from airport security authorities. Investigators are now tracing the origins of the animals, the supply chain, and possible involvement of other parties in the smuggling network.

Director General of Forestry Law Enforcement Dwi Januanto Nugroho stressed that wildlife trafficking is not merely a legal violation but a direct threat to Indonesia’s biological sovereignty. “When endemic species are smuggled abroad, what is lost is not just individual animals but part of our natural heritage, scientific knowledge, and ecological balance,” he said, urging the public to see such cases as part of a broader agenda to safeguard national biodiversity, as quoted by the ministry's official website, on Saturday, June 27, 2026.

Januanto added that illegal wildlife trade is increasingly sophisticated, exploiting transport routes, logistics, and digital platforms. He emphasized the need for cross-ministerial cooperation, law enforcement, airport authorities, and international collaboration to dismantle supply chains and prevent Indonesia’s biodiversity from becoming a commodity in the global black market.

Head of Balai Gakkum Jabalnusra Aswin Bangun confirmed that investigators are strengthening evidence against AMR while mapping the movement of the animals prior to their arrival at the airport. He noted that enforcement at the airport is only the entry point to uncover the broader network behind the trafficking.

“Wildlife must never be treated as baggage or collectible commodities. Illegal trade thrives because of demand, intermediaries, and loopholes that we must close together,” he said.

AMR has been charged under multiple provisions of Indonesia’s conservation and criminal law, including Law No. 32/2024 on Conservation of Natural Resources and Ecosystems and Law No. 1/2023 on the Criminal Code, with adjustments under Law No. 1/2026 on Sentencing.

The Javan gibbon, an endemic primate, plays a vital role in forest ecosystems, while the three-colored monitor lizard, also endemic, is highly sought after in the exotic pet trade. The case highlights how illegal trafficking targets not only well-known species but also rare reptiles with high market value.

The Ministry of Forestry has urged the public not to buy, keep, transport, or trade wildlife without legal permits, stressing that behind every trafficked animal lies a chain of poaching, habitat disruption, and exploitation. Citizens are encouraged to report suspicious activities to forestry authorities, law enforcement, or official complaint channels.

This case reinforces Indonesia’s broader commitment to combat illegal wildlife trade and protect its unique biodiversity from exploitation. ***