Enviro News Asia, Aceh — Forestry Law Enforcement officers under the Sumatra Regional Forestry Law Enforcement Agency (Gakkum Kehutanan) have named a 40-year-old man, identified by the initials AS, as a suspect in a major wildlife smuggling case involving hundreds of protected animals intended for illegal export to Thailand.
The suspect designation followed a case review conducted on February 1, 2026, by Forestry Law Enforcement investigators in coordination with the Criminal Investigation Supervisory Unit (Korwas PPNS) of the Aceh Regional Police. Investigators concluded that sufficient evidence linked AS to violations of Indonesia’s biodiversity conservation laws.
AS is currently detained at the Aceh Regional Police detention facility, while investigators seized dozens of crates containing protected wildlife as evidence. The seizure included a wide range of species, such as a Javan lutung, an orangutan, hornbills, cockatoos, birds of paradise, parrots, lovebirds, albino bats, Melanesian megapodes, frozen horseshoe crabs, two boxes of snakes, and skeletal remains believed to be from a tiger.
Authorities stated that the suspect’s arrest serves as an entry point to dismantle a suspected transnational wildlife trafficking network operating across Southeast Asia.
Investigators charged AS under multiple provisions of Law No. 32 of 2024, which amends Law No. 5 of 1990 on the Conservation of Living Natural Resources and Their Ecosystems, along with related government regulations and ministerial decrees governing protected species. Additional charges were filed under the Indonesian Criminal Code.
Forestry Law Enforcement investigators requested the Aceh Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA Aceh) to identify the confiscated wildlife and temporarily placed the animals under BKSDA custody. Authorities transferred the orangutan and other sick primates to the Sibolangit Wildlife Rescue Center for medical treatment and rehabilitation.
The investigation followed a case transfer from the Langsa Customs and Excise Office (KPPBC TMP C Langsa) to the Sumatra Forestry Law Enforcement Agency. On January 30, 2026, customs officers intercepted a white Traga vehicle in Madat District, East Aceh Regency, carrying protected wildlife believed to be destined for illegal export to Thailand.
Head of the Sumatra Forestry Law Enforcement Agency, Hari Novianto, stated that the case highlights strong inter-agency collaboration among Forestry Law Enforcement, Customs, and BKSDA Aceh in protecting Indonesia’s biodiversity. He added that authorities will intensify surveillance along illegal exit routes, including ports and river mouths along the eastern coast of Aceh and North Sumatra.
Director General of Forestry Law Enforcement, Dwi Januanto Nugroho, described wildlife trafficking as a serious crime that threatens ecosystems and national interests. He said the case is suspected to involve an organized international criminal network.
“We will cooperate with the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK), prosecutors, the National Police, and other agencies to trace financial flows and identify all individuals involved in this international wildlife smuggling network,” Dwi Januanto said. (*)
