Inp.polri.go.id - Serang. The Directorate of Water Police under the Indonesian National Police (INP)’s Security Maintenance Agency foiled an illegal lobster seed smuggling operation in Serang, Banten, following a targeted raid.

"Acting on reports from the community regarding the illicit transport of lobster larvae from West and Central Java, our team identified a residential property in Serang used for illegal storage and packaging," said Brigadier General I Made Sukawijaya, the Director of Water Police, on Tuesday (14/4/2026), as cited by antaranews.com.

The operation resulted in the arrest of five suspects, identified as AMH, N, CW, AF, and AJ, and the seizure of approximately 47,000 lobster larvae. Authorities also confiscated essential smuggling equipment, including specialized cooling systems, oxygen tanks, and transport vehicles. 

The crackdown is estimated to have saved the state from potential losses of Rp 705 million. The suspects now face charges under the Fisheries Law, carrying a maximum sentence of eight years in prison and a fine of Rp1.5 billion, as the National Police continues its commitment to protecting Indonesia’s marine ecosystems from predatory exploitation.

(mg/inp/pr/rs)