Mahkatop
Mahkatop — An Indian national, who claims to be an actor and producer, was arrested at Soekarno-Hatta Airport (Soetta), Tangerang, Banten, Indonesia, on Monday (1/7/2024). The man, identified by the initials RM, is suspected of attempting to smuggle protected rare wildlife.
Head of Soetta Airport Customs, Gatot Sugeng Wibowo, stated that RM claimed he came to Indonesia for a vacation. The evidence seized included three rare animals: two birds of paradise and an otter.
The arrest began when officers suspected the X-Ray images of RM’s suitcase, which was to be carried on an Indigo Air flight to Mumbai, India. Upon inspection, the rare animals were found hidden in the suitcase, disguised with food, clothes, handbags, and children’s toys.
RM claimed that the items were given to him by an acquaintance, also an Indian national, at Terminal 2 of Soekarno-Hatta Airport to be delivered to someone in India. These rare animals are listed in Appendix I and II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), requiring special permits for transportation in accordance with Law No. 5 of 1990 on the Conservation of Living Natural Resources and Their Ecosystems.
Customs have elevated RM’s case to the investigation stage. RM is a suspect for alleged violations of customs offenses under Article 102A of Law No. 17 of 2006 concerning Amendments to Law No. 10 of 1995 on Customs, with a maximum prison sentence of 10 years and a maximum fine of Rp5 billion. (*)
