Two Men Attempted to Smuggle Lobster Seeds to Palembang

jpnn.com, PALEMBANG - The Palembang Police have intercepted two men attempting to smuggle lobster seeds from Indralaya, South Sumatra, to Palembang city.

The perpetrators were identified as Ferdi (26) and Dani (32), who were transferring lobster seeds valued at Rp 13 billion (US$919,000).

Officers found 18 styrofoam boxes containing pearl and sand lobster seeds.

"We are still digging up information from the suspects for further investigation," Palembang Police criminal investigation unit head Commissioner Tri Wahyudi said on Friday (22/10).

The perpetrators admitted that the Lampung-sourced lobster seeds would then be transferred to Lubuk Linggau.

They were subject to Article 92 and Article 26 of Law No. 45/2009 as the amendments to Law No. 31/2004 concerning fisheries. If found guilty, they can face eight years in prison.

Ferdi, one of the perpetrators, said that they did not know it would be such a big risk.

"Someone with the initial P just ordered me to take the lobster seeds from Indralaya to Lubuk Linggau, and he would pay me Rp 1 million," said Ferdi. "I was just looking for money to buy food and daily necessities." (kur/mcr20/palpres.com)

This news has been broadcast on JPNN.com with the title: Polisi Cegat Mobil Kijang Innova, Setelah Dicek, Negara Rugi Rp 13 Miliar