Enviro News Asia, Bali — Indonesia’s Forestry Law Enforcement Agency (Gakkum Kehutanan) for the Java–Bali–Nusa Tenggara Region, in coordination with Ngurah Rai Special Class I Immigration Office, BKSDA Bali, and BKSDA Jakarta, arrested a Russian national at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, Bali, on Sunday (8/2/2026) at approximately 07:45 WITA for alleged protected wildlife smuggling.
Director General of Forestry Law Enforcement Dwi Januanto Nugroho stated that wildlife trafficking constitutes a serious crime with transnational impacts.
“Wildlife trafficking is a serious crime that not only harms the state but also threatens ecosystem sustainability. This case is suspected to involve an organized international criminal network. Forestry Law Enforcement will cooperate with the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK), the Attorney General’s Office, the National Police, and other relevant institutions to trace financial flows and identify the network involved,” he said.
The arrest followed further investigation into a previous smuggling attempt thwarted on 29 January 2026, when officers prevented the illegal export of 202 wildlife specimens bound for Russia without official documents.
Authorities seized one live Burmese python, 89 live ball pythons, 104 live iguanas, and eight dead iguanas, all packed in 19 bags. Investigators identified the suspect by the initials OS, a Russian citizen allegedly responsible for the smuggling attempt.
Forestry Law Enforcement investigators are currently questioning the suspect and examining witnesses to uncover possible links to broader international trafficking networks.
The suspect is accused of violating Law No. 32 of 2024, which amends Law No. 5 of 1990 on the Conservation of Living Natural Resources and Ecosystems, as well as Law No. 1 of 2023 on the Criminal Code, as amended by Law No. 1 of 2026 on Criminal Adjustment. The offenses carry a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to IDR 2 billion.
Head of the Java–Bali–Nusa Tenggara Forestry Law Enforcement Office Aswin Bangun said the case reflects strong inter-agency coordination.
“This case demonstrates effective synergy between Forestry Law Enforcement, Quarantine Agency, Immigration, Customs, and BKSDA Jakarta and Bali in safeguarding Indonesia’s natural heritage. Surveillance along vulnerable routes, including ports and airports, will continue to be intensified to prevent wildlife smuggling out of the country,” he said. (*)
