Indonesia: Ministry investigators arrest three for illegal ivory trade online

Kharishar Kahfi The Jakarta Post 30 Apr 19;

Investigators from the Environment and Forestry Ministry have arrested three individuals on suspicion of illegal online trading in ivory and other products made from elephants and other endangered animals.

The three suspects, identified by their initials OF, 38, CK, 44, and MHF, 31, were arrested on Sunday at three separate locations in Pati, Central Java.

The trio allegedly sold jewelry and other accessories like cigarette holders through three separate Facebook accounts.

“We suspect the three individuals of actively selling tobacco pipes [and other products] made from elephant tusks to all regions in Indonesia,” the ministry’s forest preservation director Sustyo Iriyono said in a statement on Monday.

Investigators seized an elephant tusk, several ivory products, deer antlers and sun bear claws during the arrest.

The three are suspected of violating Law No. 5/1990 on natural resources and environmental conservation, which carries a maximum punishment of five years in prison and a fine of Rp 100 million (US$7,028).

The ministry’s law enforcement director general, Rasio Ridho Sani, said investigators will look into the possible involvement of other parties, whether inside or outside the country, in the case.

“This crime of illegal use of elephant tusks correlate with the high number of elephant deaths from poaching both inside and outside the country, which can lead to the extinction of the species. This is a transnational crime,” he said.

Gov't Expose First Ever Online Illegal Ivory Trade Worth Billions
Translator: Dewi Elvia Muthiariny
Editor: Mahinda Arkiyasa
Tempo 2 May 19;

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Environment and Forestry Ministry exposed for the first time online trading practice of ivory. Poaching and trading of ivory are prohibited by law as it resulted in the low population of elephant in Indonesia.

"This is the first time we take action against online trading," said the Ministry's Forest Conservation and Ssecurity Director Sustyo Iriyono during a press conference in his office at the Manggala Wanabakti Building, Central Jakarta on Thursday, May 2, 2019.

The arrest first began when the Ministry's cyber team of the law enforcement directorate found three suspicious accounts actively selling products made of ivory via Facebook online for all Indonesian regions.

The investigation revealed that the three accounts namely chanif mangkubumi, onny pati, and wong brahma were based in Pati, Central Java. The ministry's team asked for the help of Pati Resort Police to arrest OF (38), CK (44), and MHF (31). "They are the owner, craftsmen, and also seller," said Sustyo.

The police confiscated one 30-centimeter ivory, 18 pieces of ivory with a length of 20-30 centimeters, and products made of ivory including 175 smoke pipes, 31 bracelets, 53 rings, 4 necklaces, as well as 22 bracelets made of bahar root. In addition, there was 7 deer antlers, 17 sun bear claws, and several equipment sets.

Sustyo said all the products were estimated to value up to IDR 420 billion. Based on the law, he mentioned, the seized goods could be delivered to a museum or burnt.

Meanwhile, perpetrators will be charged with Article 40(2) in conjunction with Article 21(2d) of Law No. 5 of 1990 concerning the conservation of natural resources and ecosystem. They will face 5 years of imprisonment and a maximum fine of IDR 100 million.

FAJAR PEBRIANTO