Lampung – The smuggling of clear lobster seeds (BBL) worth Rp9.1 billion was successfully thwarted by the Joint Team of the Bandar Lampung Customs and the West Sumatra DJBC Regional Office. This smuggling was uncovered on Sunday (24/11/2024) on the Bakauheni-Terbanggi Besar Toll Road, South Lampung Regency, after officers stopped a suspicious truck.
The method used by the perpetrator to smuggle lobster seeds was hiding 60,883 lobster seeds in the crevices of a foam mattress. The truck was initially suspected of carrying illegal cigarettes, based on intelligence information. However, after being stopped at the KM 33 rest area, officers found dozens of styrofoam boxes containing lobster seeds hidden under a pile of mattresses.
The Head of the Customs and Excise Office in Bandar Lampung, Arif, stated that this smuggling was meticulously planned with the aim of deceiving the officers. “Although this modus operandi was carried out to deceive the officers, thanks to solid intelligence work, the perpetrators could not escape,” said Arif, Tuesday (26/11/2024).
The seized lobster larvae are estimated to be shipped abroad via sea routes, an activity that has violated Law Number 31 of 2004 in conjunction with Law Number 45 of 2009 concerning Fisheries, as well as Law Number 21 of 2019 concerning the quarantine of animals, fish, and plants.
Due to the vulnerable nature of lobster seeds, coordination with related agencies, including the Marine and Fisheries Office of Lampung Province and the Lampung Police Water and Air Police Directorate, was promptly carried out. The lobster larvae were then released back into their original habitat in the waters of Pesawaran Regency to ensure the preservation of the marine ecosystem. The perpetrators who acted as couriers in this smuggling case now face severe penalties.
Head of the Law Enforcement Subdirectorate of the Directorate of Water Police at the Lampung Regional Police, AKBP Rahmadi Asbi, stated that the perpetrator is charged with multiple articles. “The perpetrator faces a prison sentence of up to eight years and a fine of Rp 1.5 billion based on Article 92 in conjunction with Article 88 of Law of the Republic of Indonesia Number 45 of 2009, which was amended in Law of the Republic of Indonesia Number 6 of 2023,” said Rahmadi.
Rahmadi also emphasized that this disclosure is in line with President Prabowo Subianto’s Asta Cita program, which highlights the importance of combating maritime crime. “We are committed to continuing to take firm action against criminals who harm the state and the environment,” Arif emphasized.
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