Inp.polri.go.id - Semarang. The Central Java Regional Police have foiled an attempt to smuggle 18 Black-capped Lories (Lorius lory), a protected bird species native to Papua, as they were brought into the province through Juwana Port in Pati Regency.

"The suspects purchased these protected birds in Manokwari, West Papua," said Senior Superintendent Djoko Julianto, the Director of Special Crimes at the Central java Police, during a press briefing in Semarang on Monday (4/5/2026), as cited by antaranews.com. 

The operation was conducted in close coordination with the Central Java Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA).

Three fishermen, identified as EDP (25), BS (26), and G (39), all residents of Pati, have been named as suspects. They allegedly transported the wildlife without the required BKSDA certification. 

Investigations revealed the suspects planned to sell each bird for approximately Rp 20 million via social media platforms. Police are currently tracing the financial backers suspected of funding the illegal operation. 

The suspects face charges under Law No. 32 of 2024 on the Conservation of Living Natural Resources.

(mg/inp/pr/rs)