West Sumatra BKSDA team catch suspect in pangolin scales trade in Manggopoh

Kamis, 27 Agustus 2020 14:42 WIB

The suspect and evidence (Antara / Yusrizal)

Lubukbasung (ANTARA) - The Natural Resources Conservation Agency of West Sumatra (BKSDA) team and Central of the Sumatran Regional Law Enforcement and Security, Ministry of Environment and Forestry managed to catch traffickers of body parts of protected species and secured in Manggopoh, Lubukbasung District, Wednesday (8/26) at around 02.30 P.M.

Forest Ecosystem Controller of the West Sumatra BKSDA, Ade Putra in Lubukbasung, Wednesday, said the suspect has the initials RH (40) is a resident of Nagari Pilubang, Sungai Limau District, Padang Pariaman Regency.

"The arrest of the suspect was backed up by the Agam Police Criminal Unit," he said.

He said the joint team managed to secure evidence in the form of pangolin scales (Manis javanica) weighing eight kilograms.

Currently the suspect with evidence is brought and secured to the West Sumatra BKSDA office in Padang for further processing by investigators at the Central of the Sumatran Regional Law Enforcement and Security, Ministry of Environment and Forestry for the Sumatra Region.

"The suspect with his evidence is immediately taken to Padang," he said.

This arrest began with information from the public that someone was carrying pangolin scales with the aim of Lubukbasung for sale.

In his confession, the pangolin scales were obtained from someone in Padang Pariaman area and will be sold for IDR 4 million per kilogram.

The joint team is developing other possible suspects involved in the trade in protected animals.

The suspect is threatened by Article 21 paragraph 2 letter d and Article 40 paragraph 2 Law Number 5 of 1990 concerning Conservation of Living Natural Resources and their Ecosystems with a maximum imprisonment of five years and a maximum fine of one hundred million rupiah.

Transleted by: Mutiara Ramadhani