Bali Police thwart smuggling of 21 green sea turtles

Bali Police have successfully intercepted a smuggling operation involving 21 protected green sea turtles along the coast of Buleleng Regency. The Directorate of Water and Air Patrol (Ditpolairud) of the Bali Regional Police seized the live turtles and apprehended one suspect in connection with the illegal trade of endangered wildlife.

The operation was initiated following a tip from coastal residents in Pegametan Beach on June 11, 2026, who reported suspicious activity related to illegal turtle trading. Acting on this information, the Sub-Directorate of Law Enforcement (Gakkum) of Ditpolairud launched an investigation. On Wednesday, June 10, 2026, around 10:00 PM local time, police raided the Pegametan Beach area in Sumberkima Village, Gerokgak District.

During the raid, officers apprehended a 67-year-old man, identified by the initial KS, from Seririt District. Police believe KS was responsible for storing the protected animals before they were distributed. Initial interrogations revealed that KS received the 21 green sea turtles from an individual named Iwan, who is reportedly based in the waters of Madura, East Java.

According to the investigation, KS's role was to receive the turtles at Pegametan Beach. They were then to be collected and resold by another individual, identified as KMG, from Buleleng. Currently, KS is in custody, and the police have issued wanted notices for Iwan (30, from Madura) as the supplier and KMG (35, from Buleleng) as the receiver and reseller. The police are actively pursuing these two individuals to dismantle the entire smuggling network.

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At that location, officers caught and secured a man with the initials KS (67 years old).