One South Korean National Arrested for Smuggling Dozens of Reptiles

TheIndonesia.co - A South Korean national identified as Kim J, 22, was arrested by officers at Terminal 3 of International Departures at Soekarno-Hatta Airport (Soetta), Banten, for smuggling 94 reptiles of various types hidden in a suitcase.

Head of the Banten Quarantine Center, Turhadi Noerachman, stated on Friday that the reptiles seized were 50 snakes of various types, 41 geckos, one Rhinoceros Iguana, and two lizards.

"They were hidden in 24 bags to be smuggled to South Korea," Noerachman revealed, as quoted by Antara.

He stated that Kim J was registered as a passenger on the Asiana Airlines, with flight number OZ-762, on the Jakarta-South Korea route on Wednesday (July 17).

"In this case, we found an attempt to export illegal animals by one of the passengers on a flight to South Korea in one of the luggage," he remarked.

Kim J admitted to the officers that this was his first visit to Indonesia.

"We are currently investigating the method. Kim said he did that because he likes animals. He is not fluent in Indonesian and English. We are conducting an in-depth investigation into this case," Noerachman remarked.

Currently, Civil Servant Investigators (PPNS) are questioning the suspect at the Banten Quarantine Center, Soetta Airport.

"So far, the progress shows no detention because Kim J is cooperative. We only detained evidence and travel documents," he stated.

For his actions, Kim J is charged with Article 87 in conjunction with Article 34, letters a and c of Law No.21 of 2019 concerning Animal, Fish, and Plant Quarantine, with a maximum prison sentence of three years and a maximum fine of Rp3 billion (US$180 thousand).

"In the meantime, we will study the relationship between sanctions in the law; article 87 will be subject to sanctions of three years imprisonment and a fine of Rp3 billion," he revealed.