Ecobiz.asia — Indonesia’s Forestry Law Enforcement Agency for the Java, Bali, and Nusa Tenggara region (Jabalnusra) has named a Chinese national, identified as YJ (51), as a suspect in a wildlife smuggling case involving protected birds concealed inside PVC pipes packed in a suitcase.
Head of the Jabalnusra Forestry Law Enforcement Office, Aswin Bangun, said on Monday (April 20, 2026) that the case dossier has been declared complete (P-21) by the Banten High Prosecutor’s Office under Letter No. B-1566/M.6.4/Eku.1/04/2026.
“Investigators have also handed over the suspect and evidence to the public prosecutor (Phase II), meaning the case has entered the prosecution stage,” he said.
The case was uncovered on December 12, 2025, when Aviation Security (Avsec) officers at Terminal 3 of Soekarno–Hatta International Airport flagged a suspicious suitcase bound for Xiamen, Fujian Province. Inspection revealed 13 live birds hidden inside PVC pipes and cloth bags without proper permits.
The discovery was followed up in coordination with airport animal quarantine officers. Identification by the Jakarta Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) found the seized wildlife included one protected green leafbird, along with five Oriental magpie robins, three white-rumped shamas, one red-breasted thrush, two mangrove whistlers, and one yellow-vented bulbul.
All birds were transferred to the Tegal Alur Wildlife Rescue Center for observation, health checks, and care during the legal process.
A case review conducted on December 15, 2025, involving police investigators and BKSDA Jakarta concluded that a conservation crime had occurred, involving the transport, possession, and handling of protected wildlife without permits. Investigators subsequently named YJ as a suspect and submitted a notification of investigation (SPDP) to the Banten High Prosecutor’s Office and the Chinese Embassy in Jakarta.
The suspect has been charged under Article 40A paragraph (1) letter d in conjunction with Article 21 paragraph (2) letter a of Law No. 32 of 2024 on the Conservation of Biological Natural Resources and Their Ecosystems, carrying a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to Rp5 billion.
Aswin said the case demonstrates that enforcement efforts extend beyond wildlife rescue to full prosecution. He also noted that the method of hiding live birds in PVC pipes reflects increasingly sophisticated smuggling tactics.
“The investigation does not stop at the courier. We are continuing to trace the origin of the wildlife, collection methods, and other parties involved in the planned international shipment,” he said.
Director General of Forestry Law Enforcement, Dwi Januanto Nugroho, added that illegal bird trade poses a serious threat to ecological functions, as birds play key roles as pollinators, seed dispersers, and indicators of ecosystem health.
He said pursuing the case through prosecution sends a strong signal that Indonesia will not tolerate the illegal export of its biodiversity through international passenger routes. ***
