However, he dismissed rumors circulating widely that the marijuana field was managed by personnel stationed at the TNBTS.
"Instead, the national park staff collaborated with the police to identify its location," he clarified.
Antoni said that the authorities, including forest rangers, used drones to locate the marijuana field.
"The national park staff pinpointed the site in coordination with law enforcement. We then removed the plants and handed them over to the police as evidence," he said.
He also denied allegations that the national park was planned to be closed to conceal the marijuana field.
"None of our staff is involved in such practices," he affirmed.
Meanwhile, Director General of Natural Resources and Ecosystem Conservation, Satyawan Pudyatmoko, concurred with the minister's statements, noting that the marijuana field was first detected in September last year.
"Following a police investigation, which led to the arrest of individuals suspected of owning the marijuana field, our personnel from the national park assisted in locating the field, as such sites are often concealed," he explained.
Pudyatmoko added that the ministry then assessed the extent of the area covered by the marijuana plants before extracting and handing them over to the police.
He assured the public that the ministry would oversee the legal proceedings and conduct intensive patrols to prevent similar illegal activities in the future.
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Translator: Prisca T, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Anton Santoso
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