inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. Investigators from the Indonesian National Police (INP) Criminal Investigation Unit uncovered a case of the illegal pangolin scales sale. 

In this case, suspects RK have been named as the seeker and provider of pangolin scales and A as the seller. 

The perpetrators were arrested by the police when they were about to sell them to a drug network.

"Investigators have detained two suspects," said the Director of Certain Crimes Directorate, Brigadier General Nunung Syaifuddin, Wednesday (6/11/2025).

Pangolin scales, said Brigadier General Nunung, have a very high selling value as they are in demand for traditional medicine and can also be misused as ingredients for making methamphetamine. 

"The modus operandi used by the perpetrators was to illegally trade protected pangolin scales with the intention of gaining personal gain, without regard to the sustainability of the natural ecosystem and environment," explained the Director.

The two suspects were charged with Article 40 Paragraph 1, letter F in conjunction with Article 21 Paragraph 2, letter C of Law No. 32 of 2024 concerning amendments to Law No. 5 of 1990 concerning the conservation of natural biological resources and their ecosystems with a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a maximum fine of Rp5 billion.

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