Wahyoe Boediwardhana, Jakarta – The East Java Police Special Crimes Investigation Directorate (Reskrimsus) has dismantled a smuggling syndicate trading in protected endemic Indonesian species, including Komodo dragons, which fetch high prices in Thailand.
The investigation began in February after authorities received a tip off from the public. Six suspects were arrested for trafficking live Komodo dragons, with police seizing several pieces of evidence.
Head of sub-directorate IV of Reskrimsus, handling animal trade, environmental and forestry crimes, Adj. Sr. Comr. Hanif Fatih Wicaksono said two suspects, identified only as SD and BM, were arrested in February at Tanjung Perak Port in Surabaya. They were attempting to smuggle three juvenile Komodo dragons from East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) by hiding them inside PVC pipes and cardboard boxes.
"We arrested the suspects as they tried to smuggle three juvenile Komodo dragons inside PVC pipes," Hanif told a press conference at East Java Police headquarters on Wednesday.
He said that the suspects sourced reptiles from hunters on Komodo Island, NTT, and surrounding areas, purchasing them for about Rp 5.5 million (US$320) each.
Once arriving in Surabaya, the animals were resold for Rp 31.5 million each, then passed on to buyers in Sukoharjo, Central Java, for Rp 41.5 million each.
"From Sukoharjo, the Komodo dragons were sold to buyers in Thailand, where their market value skyrocketed. Juveniles could fetch up to Rp 500 million each," Hanif said.
East Java Police Reskrimsus director Sr. Comr. Roy HM Sihombing said the smuggling ring had been operating since January 2025.
"The suspects, believed to be suppliers or hunters from Pota, Sambi Rampas district, East Manggarai regency, NTT, traded a total of 20 Komodo dragons to Thailand between January 2025 and February 2026, with transactions estimated at Rp 10 billion," he said.
He emphasized the importance of public cooperation in exposing wildlife trafficking networks.
Police records show that the 20 Komodo dragons traded domestically were valued at Rp 565.9 million, with prices at the middleman level rising fivefold compared with hunters' sales price.
In addition to arresting six suspects, SD and BM, as well as RDJ, RSL, JY and VPP, police also confiscated three juvenile Komodo dragons, six mobile phones, Rp 80 million in cash, three PVC pipes, a cardboard box and two ATM cards.
The investigation also uncovered other cases of protected wildlife trafficking.
Police seized 16 Sulawesi dwarf cuscuses, consisting of 13 Talaud and three Tembung species, arresting four suspects.
Another suspect was detained for trading green pythons, black kites and monitor lizards. Authorities also confiscated 140 kilograms of pangolin scales, equivalent to 980 pangolins, valued at Rp 8.4 billion, with two suspects identified only as FS and AK.
"From the Komodo case, we also seized 16 dwarf cuscuses, while another suspect was caught trading green pythons, black kites and monitor lizards. In total, 11 suspects have been arrested across all clusters, and investigations are ongoing," Hanif said.
He noted that the cases involved two major offenses, violations of the 2024 Conservation of Natural Resources and Ecosystems Law, and breaches of animal, fish and plant quarantine regulations.
The suspects face charges under Article 40A in conjunction with Article 21 of the Conservation of Natural Resources and Ecosystems Law, along with other criminal provisions.
Roy stressed that the police would continue to pursue the syndicate's network.
"We will expand the investigation to ensure the entire trafficking chain of protected wildlife is dismantled," he said.
"This case highlights the ongoing threat to Indonesia's endemic species, underscoring the urgent need for stronger enforcement and public vigilance against the illegal wildlife trade." (nvn)
Source: https://asianews.network/komodo-dragons-smuggling-ring-busted-having-sold-20-to-thailand