Smuggling of animals is still prominent in Gorontalo

Gakkum LHK Sulawesi Region succeeded in thwarting the smuggling of protected wild animals in the form of 3 proboscis monkeys (Nasalis larvatus) and 2 white bearded gibbons (Hylobates albibarbis), in Gorontalo City, Gorontalo Province.

In the past few years, the Legal Aid of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry has carried out 1,915 forest prevention and security operations, 453 of which were Operations for Distribution of Wild Plants and Animals Protected by Law and succeeded in securing 238,362 wild animals and 15,870 wild animal parts.

Gakkum LHK continues to develop cyber patrol technology and an intelligence center for online monitoring of trade in protected animals and collaborates with the Directorate General of Customs and Excise, the Quarantine and Bakamla Agency and the KSDA Center for monitoring the circulation of protected TSL.

Gakkum LHK for the Sulawesi Region has also succeeded in stopping illegal mining in the Boliyohuto Production Forest area, Gorontalo Province.

The mode of smuggling protected wildlife is still found in Sulawesi. In Gorontalo, the authorities succeeded in securing endemic animals from Kalimantan, namely 3 proboscis monkeys ( Nasalis larvatus ) with one dead and 2 white bearded gibbons ( Hylobates albibarbis ).

During the operation, the operations team from the Sulawesi Region Environment and Forestry Law Enforcement Center (Gakkum LHK), Manado Region III Section together with the North Sulawesi KSDA Agency Regional Conservation Section (SKW) II Gorontalo, arrested ZH (23), a minibus driver who was a smuggler. protected animals (09/02/2023).

The joint team moved based on information from the public, who saw wild animals in cages loaded into minibuses at Andalas Terminal, Gorontalo City.

"The animals were deposited in a passenger minibus car from Toboli Village, Central Sulawesi to Gorontalo City to be handed over to travel representatives in Gorontalo City and the plan is to bring them to Manado City," explained Dodi.

The perpetrator is suspected of violating the provisions of Article 40 paragraph (2) jo. Article 21 paragraph (2) letters a and b of Law no. 5 of 1990 concerning the Conservation of Living Natural Resources and their Ecosystems, which carries a maximum penalty of 5 (five) years imprisonment and a maximum fine of Rp. 100 million.

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Rising Illegal Animal Trade

In recent years, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry's Gakkum has carried out 1,915 forest prevention and security operations, 453 of which were Operations for Distribution of Wild Plants and Animals Protected by Law and managed to secure 238,362 wild animals and 15,870 wild animal parts. Firm action should be taken against the perpetrators of this animal crime.

“The perpetrators must be punished to the maximum, so that there is a deterrent effect. I have ordered investigators to investigate the involvement of other perpetrators to break the chain of crime and trade in protected wild plants and animals," said Dodi.

In its implementation, he said that the LHK Gakkum continues to develop cyber patrol technology and an intelligence center for online monitoring of trade in protected animals and cooperates with the Directorate General of Customs and Excise, the Quarantine and Bakamla Agency and the KSDA Center for monitoring the distribution of protected TSL.

Illegal Mining Case

In addition to this case of smuggling protected wildlife, last Wednesday 8 February 2023, the joint operations team for forest security at the Balai Gakkum LHK Sulawesi Region, Section III Manado also succeeded in stopping illegal mining in the Boliyohuto Production Forest area, Gorontalo Province.

In this operation, Gakkum worked together with the Gorontalo Army Military Police, Gorontalo Regional Police, the Gorontalo High Prosecutor's Office and the Region VI Forest Management Unit, the Gorontalo Province Environment and Forestry Service, succeeded in stopping illegal mining in the Boliyohuto Production Forest (HP) area, Gorontalo Province.

The joint operations team succeeded in securing 2 units of excavators with 2 operators on behalf of F (20) and SB (30) and 1 person in charge of the field on behalf of S. The evidence was deposited at the Class I State Storage for Confiscated Objects (Rupbasan) Gorontalo.

"Based on the information obtained, it is suspected that the people in charge of this activity are PT LGE and CV GDP who will be summoned for questioning," said Dodi.

The perpetrators are suspected of violating the provisions of Article 89 paragraph (1) letters a and b jo. Article 17 paragraph (1) letters a and b of Law no. 18 of 2013 concerning Prevention and Eradication of Forest Destruction, as amended by Article 37 of Perpu No. 2 of 2022 concerning Job Creation, which carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a maximum fine of IDR 10 billion.

In a written statement, the Director General of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Ratio Ridho Sani stated that the prosecution of illegal mining crimes is a form of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry's commitment and seriousness against crimes that destroy the environment and preserve forests, harm the state and threaten people's lives.

"Enforcement of this case will not stop with prosecution of heavy equipment operators and those in charge of the field, will continue to be developed to ensnare the main actors, beneficiaries or beneficial ownership," he said.

Ratio reminded that this illegal mining crime is not only a crime of destroying the environment and forestry, but also a crime against mineral resources, so that the perpetrators must be punished in layers, so that there is a deterrent effect.