Enviro News Asia, Magelang – Indonesia’s Ministry of Forestry of Indonesia, through its regional Forestry Law Enforcement Agency of Indonesia (Gakkum) for Java, Bali, and Nusa Tenggara, has transferred two suspects in a protected wildlife trafficking case to prosecutors at the Magelang District Prosecutor’s Office.
The suspects, identified as MOE (22) and ARA (24), were handed over to the public prosecutor on Thursday after their case files were declared complete (P-21), allowing the legal process to proceed to the prosecution stage.
Director General of Forestry Law Enforcement Dwi Januanto Nugroho emphasized that bringing the case to court demonstrates the government’s commitment to protecting Indonesia’s biodiversity and ecosystem integrity.
He stated that wildlife trafficking is a crime against the nation’s natural heritage and that authorities must ensure such cases are pursued through prosecution and trial to safeguard the future of Indonesia’s biodiversity.
The case originated from a sting operation conducted on January 15, 2026 in Dusun Bromo, Kalinegoro Village, Magelang Regency, where a joint enforcement team apprehended the suspects and seized multiple pieces of evidence.
Authorities confiscated several protected wildlife species, including two Sunda pangolin (one alive and one dead), one Black-winged kite, one Yellow-crested cockatoo, three Leopard cat, and approximately 500 grams of pangolin scales.
Head of the Jabalnusra Regional Forestry Law Enforcement Office Aswin Bangun said the case handover sends a strong message that wildlife trafficking is a serious crime and not a minor violation.
He stressed that law enforcement efforts do not end with the arrest of suspects, but must continue until cases reach prosecution to ensure legal certainty and create a deterrent effect.
All rescued wildlife has been transferred to the Central Java Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) for health checks and further handling in accordance with conservation regulations.
The suspects are charged under Indonesia’s laws on conservation of biological resources and ecosystems for allegedly capturing, possessing, and trading protected wildlife illegally.
Through the case, the Ministry of Forestry reaffirmed its commitment to combating wildlife trafficking and protecting Indonesia’s natural heritage without exception. (*)
