Illegal Wildlife Trader Arrested in Padang with Pangolin Scales, Hornbill Beaks
- 31 Jul 2026 17:00 WIB
- Voice of Indonesia
Key Points
- Forestry authorities arrested a wildlife trafficker in Padang, seizing a sack of pangolin scales and 16 helmeted hornbill beaks during a joint operation.
- Ministry of Forestry pledged stronger intelligence and inter‑agency cooperation to dismantle illegal wildlife trafficking networks.
RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Sumatra Regional Forestry Law Enforcement Center, under the Ministry of Forestry, has named a 23‑year‑old suspect, identified as RPS alias R, in an illegal wildlife trade case in Padang, West Sumatra.
The suspect was arrested during a joint operation on Monday, July 27, 2026, involving the Sumatra Law Enforcement Center, the West Sumatra Natural Resources Conservation Center (Balai KSDA Sumbar), and the West Sumatra Regional Police (Polda Sumbar) at By Pass Road Km 6, Pauh Subdistrict.
Authorities seized a sack of pangolin scales, 16 helmeted hornbill beaks, a mobile phone, and a motorcycle used in the transaction.
If convicted under Law No. 32/2024 on Conservation of Biological Natural Resources and Ecosystems, the suspect faces three to 15 years in prison and fines ranging from IDR 200 million (USD 12,200) to IDR 5 billion.
Director General of Forestry Law Enforcement Dwi Januanto Nugroho stressed the need to disrupt trafficking networks at every level.
“The disclosure in Padang demonstrates the importance of severing the trade chain right from the poaching and collection stages in the regions, before animal parts are consolidated and moved toward larger distribution networks,” he said in Jakarta on Friday, July 31, 2026, as quoted by Antara.
He underscored the ecological impact of wildlife trade. “Every traded pangolin scale and hornbill beak signifies the loss of wildlife from its natural habitat. Therefore, severing trade networks is a vital part of protecting Indonesia’s biodiversity and forest ecosystems,” he added.
Head of the Sumatra Regional Forestry Law Enforcement Center, Hari Novianto, affirmed that inter‑agency collaboration and technology integration remain central to enforcement efforts.
“We will continue to synergize with relevant law enforcement agencies to eradicate poaching and illegal trade of protected species. We are also strengthening the use of technology, such as Cyber Patrol and the Intelligence Centre, for monitoring the trade of protected wildlife,” Hari explained. ***
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