RRI.CO.ID, Jayapura - The Ministry of Forestry, through the Maluku and Papua Forestry Law Enforcement Center (Balai Gakkum), has uncovered a suspect trading protected bird species via Facebook in Jayapura, Papua, marking a continued crackdown on wildlife cybercrime.

Law enforcement officers swooped on a residential address in Entrop, Jayapura, on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, arresting a 35-year-old suspect identified by the initials MH and seizing seven live protected birds intended for illegal sale. The seized evidence included five black-capped lories (Lorius lory), one eclectus parrot (Eclectus roratus), one sulphur-crested cockatoo (Cacatua galerita), and four transport cages.

The operation was initiated after the cyber-monitoring unit at Balai Gakkum detected suspicious sales listings offering protected avian species on Facebook. Following digital verification, a joint task force consisting of Gakkum Section III Jayapura officers, the Papua Regional Police Civil Servant Investigator (PPNS) coordinator, and local neighborhood leaders searched MH’s residence.

Investigators have charged MH under Article 40A paragraph (1) letter d in conjunction with Article 21 paragraph (2) letter a, and/or Article 40A paragraph (1) letter h in conjunction with Article 21 paragraph (2) letter g of Law No. 32/2024 amending Law No. 5/1990 on the Conservation of Natural Resources and Ecosystems.

If convicted, MH faces a minimum of three years and a maximum of 15 years in prison, alongside fines ranging between IDR 200 million (USD 12,300) and IDR 5 billion (USD 307,500).

Director General of Forestry Law Enforcement Dwi Januanto Nugroho stressed that wildlife traffickers are increasingly shifting to social platforms to reach buyers, requiring law enforcement to adapt its tactics.

"Protected wildlife trade continues to adapt alongside technological advancements, utilizing digital space to reach potential buyers, law enforcement must remain equally adaptive through stronger monitoring, digital intelligence, and cross-agency collaboration. Our goal is not merely stopping a single transaction, but protecting Indonesia’s biodiversity from being exploited as an illegal commodity," Januanto said in a statement on Sunday, July 26, 2026, as quoted on the ministry’s official website.

Head of the Maluku and Papua Forestry Law Enforcement Agency, Fredrik E. Tumbel, said that his office is deepening the investigation to trace broader supply links.

"The suspect and evidence have been seized, and we are currently carrying out further investigations to complete the legal process in accordance with applicable regulations," Fredrik noted.

The operation reflects broader policy directives issued by Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni to intensify enforcement against illegal wildlife trading, with authorities calling on the public to refrain from keeping protected species and to report online sales activity. ***