Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Ministry of Forestry on Friday foiled the attempted trafficking of 80.5 kilograms of endangered pangolin scales in South Kalimantan, resulting in the detention of three suspects.

On Friday, the Kalimantan forestry law enforcement team launched an operation, the ministry's Director General of Law Enforcement, Dwi Januanton Nugroho, said in a statement received in Jakarta on Sunday.

Their efforts uncovered that suspect GS was in possession of 15.5 kilograms of pangolin scales, while HM and GL held 65 kilograms.

Nugroho revealed that the case was initially uncovered through an investigation into trafficking activities in South Kalimantan.

It was discovered that the target suspects were planning to conduct transactions in the Balangan District of South Kalimantan.

The suspects have been arrested and the evidence was confiscated for further investigation.

They were arrested on suspicion of committing forestry crimes, specifically for storing, possessing, transporting, and trafficking specimens, parts, or goods made from parts of protected animals.

"We have learned that the poaching of protected plants and wildlife, including pangolin scales, still occurs," Nugroho said.

To combat this, he affirmed that the ministry has established a special team for transnational forestry and wildlife crimes, a cyber patrol team, and a dedicated team to address money laundering.

Nugroho emphasized that law enforcement measures to curb crimes related to protected plants and wildlife are being undertaken in collaboration with various institutions.

This collaborative approach is deemed essential because such crimes generate the highest revenue after drugs, illegal firearms, and human trafficking.


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