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Police nab ivory trade syndicate
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Riau Police personnel show two elephant tusks confiscated from five wildlife traders during an operation in Pekanbaru in May, 2016. (thejakartapost.com/Rizal Harahap)
T
he Jambi Police Special Crimes Investigation Directorate have arrested three men who are thought to be members of an illegal ivory trade syndicate in Jambi.
Investigators arrested Arwin Hendarno, 32, Saini, 55, and Mustafa Kamal, 61, at two different locations on Wednesday. From Arwin, police seized an elephant tusk. They also seized two tusks from the arrest of Saini and Mustafa, Jambi Police chief Brig. Gen. Yazid Fanani said.
“The ivory is sold at Rp 25 million [US$1,876] per kilogram,” he said on Wednesday afternoon.
(Read also: 5 Riau residents declared guilty of illegal ivory trade)
An initial investigation revealed that the perpetrators were allegedly taking the ivory to customers in Jakarta. The police also probed the origin of the ivory, Yazid said, adding that they believed it was not the first time the suspects had been involved in the illegal ivory trade.
“We are expanding our investigation. But one thing for sure, they are part of a syndicate.”
The police have charged the suspects with the 1990 Natural Resources and Ecosystem Conservation Law. The law carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a fine of Rp 100 million. (rin)
