TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - An Indonesian man with the initials 'HA' was caught red-handed attempting to smuggle live wildlife from Thailand at Terminal 2 of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. The man had concealed the wildlife, consisting of a small monkey and various types of lizards, in socks and leggings for the smuggling attempt.
The Head of the Banten Quarantine, Duma Sari, stated that the animals were brought in without official documentation and were still alive. "The animals were intentionally concealed to avoid inspection by officers," Duma said in a statement on Saturday, May 9, 2026.
Duma said that such actions posed a significant risk to the safety and health aspects of the animals, as well as to biosecurity. Importing animals without quarantine procedures could potentially introduce animal diseases and pests.
Duma added that all the animals are now secured at the Animal Quarantine Installation for observation, health checks, and further quarantine measures. "Surveillance of animal traffic and carrier media at the country's entry points will be continuously tightened to prevent the entry of animal diseases and illegal wildlife trade," said Duma.
The uncovering of the case started with information from the customs officers at Soekarno-Hatta Airport regarding an international flight passenger from Thailand suspected of carrying animals without the necessary official quarantine documents. Following this information, quarantine officers, along with relevant agencies, immediately inspected the passenger's luggage on Friday, May 8, 2026.
Based on the inspection, various exotic animals not endemic to Indonesia were found, including 3 Marmoset monkeys, 1 Uromastyx lizard, 4 Panama lizards, and 2 Bearded Dragons.
The Head of the Legal and Public Relations Bureau of Barantin, Hudiansyah Is Nursal, stated that the economic value of these exotic animals was quite substantial. According to him, a Marmoset monkey could fetch between Rp 50-90 million. "Meanwhile, various types of lizards can reach Rp50 million each," Hudiansyah said.
Hudiansyah emphasized that every entry of carrier media, such as animals or wildlife, must meet quarantine requirements to ensure their health conditions before entering Indonesia. The entry of animals without health assurances from the country of origin could potentially spread animal diseases and pests.
"It can also damage the ecosystem and threaten the conservation of Indonesia's living resources," said Hudiansyah.
Hudiansyah stated that the perpetrator is suspected of violating Article 33 of Law Number 21 of 2019 concerning Animal, Fish, and Plant Quarantine. This is because he brought in carrier media without a health certificate from the country of origin and did not report or surrender it to quarantine officers.
"Such violations can be punishable by a maximum prison term of 10 years and a fine of up to Rp 10 billion," said Hudiansyah.
Read: Authorities Thwart Smuggling of Hundreds of Birds at Surabaya Port
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