A recent police investigation into Komodo dragons seized from smugglers in East Java has revealed rampant smuggling of the giant lizards from ports on Flores Island, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). The Environment and Forestry Ministry’s director general of Natural Resource and Ecosystem Conservation (KSDAE), Wiratno, said that a syndicate had been involved in the crime for three years, and had sold at least 41 Komodo dragons to an overseas buyer for around Rp 500 million (US$35,217) per animal. The KSDAE is improving efforts to prevent such cases by increasing cooperation with military and civilian authorities in the area.Six Komodo dragons were confiscated from smugglers between Feb. 22 and March 8 in East Java. The East Java Police have arrested eight suspected smugglers who are currently being held at the police headquarters in Surabaya. One suspect is still at large. The police believe ...