Indonesian Authorities Thwart Smuggling of 23,000 Lobster Seeds

Rina said that her office and the police are still chasing the shipper of the illegal commodity. 

"They are still searching for a suspect," she said.

"We will continue to monitor the case. Hopefully, this will serve as a warning [to other people],” she added.

Lobster cultivation is being actively carried out by the community in many lobster cultivation centers in Indonesia such as in Lombok, Sumatra, West Java, and Aceh.

The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries will continue its efforts to eradicate the smuggling of lobster seeds. Rina said that the ministry will always monitor the commodity, especially in areas that are prone to smuggling.

Last year, Indonesia’s Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has apprehended Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Edhy Prabowo in a sting operation held in Soekarno-Hatta International Airport near the capital in November. His arrest was related to an alleged graft case in lobster seed exports.

(Writer: Ivany Atina Arbi | Editor: Ivany Atina Arbi)

Source: https://megapolitan.kompas.com/read/2021/03/08/10103871/penyelundupan-ribuan-ekor-benih-lobster-dari-bandara-soekarno-hatta