## 2024-08-10 22:58:49
Soekarno-Hatta Customs held a press conference regarding the disclosure of two attempts to smuggle dozens of rare animals to India. Photo: Customs Public Relations Documentation
jpnn.comJAKARTA – Soekarno Hatta Customs, in collaboration with Avsec PT Angkasa Pura II Soekarno Hatta Airport, successfully foiled two attempts to smuggle rare animals to India.
The smuggled animals consisted of 50 endemic birds, 5 primates, and a marsupial.
The joint operation also led to the apprehension of 10 suspects, all Indian citizens.
“This case adds to the alarming trend of attempts to smuggle rare animals out of Indonesia through passengers’ luggage,” said Gatot Sugeng Wibowo, Head of the Soekarno Hatta Customs Office, in a statement issued on Thursday (8/8).
Previously, in early July 2024, Gatot revealed that his team had also intercepted an attempt to smuggle birds of paradise and albino otters, allegedly part of an international illegal wildlife trade network.
The first action was taken on Monday (29/7) when officers grew suspicious of four suitcases belonging to passengers bound for Mumbai, India. Subsequent inspection revealed the presence of 30 endemic birds, including 12 Maleo Senkawor, 2 Wire-tailed Bird-of-Paradise, 6 Split-ratan Bird-of-Paradise, 7 Black Sunbird Hummingbirds, and 2 Coconut Hummingbirds.