Inp.polri.go.id - Tanjungpinang. Bintan Sub-regional Police in Riau Islands foiled an attempt to smuggle 29 protected birds to Malaysia on 21 August 2024 in an operation following a tip-off from local residents.

Officers raided a house in Sri Kuala Lobam and discovered five cages containing Nuri Bayan, Nuri Raja Papua, Kakak Tua Jambul Kuning, and Cendrawasih Kecil birds, according to antaranews.com. 

The house owner, identified as R (41), a fisherman, admitted to being contacted by a Malaysian national who ordered the birds. R was promised Rp 2.7 million to arrange the smuggling.

"The birds were meant to be handed over at sea to a Malaysian buyer," said Bintan Police Head of Public Relations, First Inspector Missyamsu Alson. "We are still pursuing others involved in this illegal operation."

The birds, valued at around Rp 500 million, were handed over to the Batam Natural Resources Conservation Agency (KSDA).

R has been named a suspect and charged under Indonesia's wildlife conservation laws, which carry a potential prison sentence of up to 15 years. 

(mg/inp/pr/nm)