At Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, an Egyptian national was detained with some very unusual luggage. His suitcase contained 32 live reptiles, packed in bags without ventilation. The foreigner was planning to fly to Jeddah.
The inventory is impressive: 3 black tree monitors (Varanus beccarii) — endemic to eastern Indonesia, 6 albino pythons, 17 platinum tiger pythons, 2 leopard geckos, and 4 tegu lizards. The smuggler with the initials AAEA clearly knew the market: some of these animals are worth thousands of dollars.
The airport's quarantine service spotted the suspicious luggage and discovered a living 'zoo' in the suitcase during inspection. Jakarta's Nature Conservation Agency head Didid Sulastyo explained: “The tree monitor is a protected species, and its population in the wild is being reduced by poachers. Transporting animals in small, unventilated bags is not only illegal but also causes severe suffering: many do not survive the journey. Every stolen animal is a loss for an already dwindling population.”
All 32 reptiles were sent to the Tegal Alur Animal Rescue Center for inspection and rehabilitation. Most survived. The Egyptian man faces up to five years in prison and a hefty fine.
The arrest of the offender is only the first step. The work ahead involves uncovering the network of illegal wildlife trade and the end buyers. The question remains: was he acting alone or part of an international chain? Jeddah might have been just a transit point en route to clients in the Gulf countries or Europe.
This case is a reminder that Indonesia firmly protects its fauna. Airports, ports, and land borders are increasing control, and penalties for smugglers are being tightened. The conclusion for tourists is simple: do not try to take wild animals out of the country, no matter how much a market vendor assures you that "everything is legal." The fines are massive, the jail time real, and your reputation is at stake.
Source: antara
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