Authorities in Bali have detained a Russian national identified by the initials OS in connection with an attempted smuggling of 202 wild animals without valid documentation, according to the Ministry of Forestry.
OS was secured on Sunday, February 8, at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport. The arrest followed an earlier interception on Thursday, January 29, when officials prevented the animals from being transported to Russia.
Details of the Seized Wildlife
The confiscated animals consisted of various reptiles, most of which were found alive. Authorities reported the seizure of one Burmese python (ular sanca bodo, Python bivittatus), 89 ball pythons (sanca bola, Python regius), and 104 iguanas, all alive. Eight additional animals were found dead. The specimens were packed in 19 bags.
The Ministry of Forestry stated that the animals lacked the required legal documentation for transport.
Interagency Cooperation
Aswin Bangun, Head of the Forestry Law Enforcement Agency for the Java, Bali, and Nusa Tenggara region, said the case demonstrates coordination among multiple institutions in safeguarding Indonesia’s natural resources. The Ministry of Forestry worked in conjunction with the Class I Ngurah Rai Immigration Office in handling the case.
“The Forestry Gakkum, with these agencies, will increase supervision of rat routes, both ports and airports, which are allegedly the exit places for animals to be smuggled outside Indonesian territory,” he said.
Investigators are currently questioning OS and examining witnesses as part of the ongoing legal process.
Legal Framework and Potential Penalties
Under Indonesian law, transporting protected wildlife, whether alive or dead, including specimens, body parts, or products derived from them, from one location within Indonesia or outside the country is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of Rp2 billion.
“This case is suspected of involving an international organized crime network. The Forestry Gakkum will cooperate with the Financial Transaction Reporting and Analysis Center (PPATK), the prosecutor’s office, the police, and other agencies to trace the flow of funds and the network of perpetrators,” he said.
Director General of Law Enforcement at the Ministry of Forestry, Dwi Januanto Nugroho, described wildlife trafficking as a serious crime that harms the state and threatens ecosystem sustainability. He stated that investigators have been instructed to examine the suspect’s possible involvement in a broader international network engaged in the smuggling of protected wildlife abroad.
Authorities confirmed that the investigation remains ongoing, with further inquiries focused on identifying any additional parties connected to the case.
