Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. The Muara Baru Police office are pursuing a man believed to be the supplier in the illegal trade of a protected leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis), locally known as kucing kuwuk.

“The suspect, identified as FAM, who resides in West Java's Ciamis, supplied the animal to the arrested suspect,” said Muara Baru Police Criminal Unit Chief Second Inspector Fauzy Widi on Saturday (11/10/2025), as quoted by antaranews.com.

Earlier, police arrested another man, identified as ASM (27), for selling the protected cat online. He admitted to buying three two-month-old kittens from suspect FAM for Rp 250,000 each, though two reportedly escaped from his home in East Jakarta.

Suspect ASM, currently unemployed, confessed he was aware the trade violated wildlife protection laws. Police said profits from the sales were used for daily expenses.

Authorities continue to investigate and coordinate with conservation agencies to locate the fugitive supplier and prevent further illegal wildlife trade.

(mg/inp/pr/rs)