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South Korean National Caught Smuggling 8 Monitor Lizards in Suitcase at Soekarno-Hatta Airport
🇮🇩 Indonesia /Energy & Infrastructure

South Korean National Caught Smuggling 8 Monitor Lizards in Suitcase at Soekarno-Hatta Airport

From CNN Indonesia · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • Indonesian authorities at Soekarno-Hatta Airport intercepted a South Korean national attempting to smuggle eight monitor lizards in his luggage.
  • The lizards were discovered hidden among clothing in a suitcase destined for Seoul during an X-ray scan.
  • This incident adds to a series of wildlife smuggling cases at the airport, highlighting the need for strict animal transit controls.

Airport authorities in Banten, Indonesia, have foiled an attempt by a 25-year-old South Korean national, identified as JJ, to smuggle eight live monitor lizards out of the country. The reptiles were discovered concealed within his luggage as he prepared to board a flight to Seoul at Terminal 3 of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.

After identification with related agencies, it was found that these 8 monitor lizards are protected animals. The prevention of the export of these monitor lizards is proof that the supervision of animal traffic must be carried out strictly. Animals that will be transported abroad must meet the requirements and be equipped with quarantine documents.

— Duma Sari MargarethaHead of the Banten Animal, Fish, and Plant Quarantine Agency, explaining the discovery and its implications.

The discovery was made when airport security personnel detected suspicious items on an X-ray scan of JJ's suitcase. Further inspection revealed the monitor lizards, which are classified as protected animals, hidden among clothing and wrapped in cloth bags. This incident marks another instance of illegal wildlife trafficking through international flight routes at the airport.

Previous cases at Soekarno-Hatta have involved the smuggling of various reptiles and birds by citizens of Russia, Egypt, China, the Netherlands, and Lithuania. The head of the Banten Animal, Fish, and Plant Quarantine Agency, Duma Sari Margaretha, emphasized that such smuggling not only violates administrative requirements but also poses a significant threat to Indonesia's biodiversity and ecosystems.

We do not want Indonesia's biological wealth to leave illegally and potentially threaten the preservation of our fauna and ecosystems.

— Duma Sari MargarethaHead of the Banten Animal, Fish, and Plant Quarantine Agency, on the impact of illegal wildlife exports.

"We do not want Indonesia's biological wealth to leave illegally and potentially threaten the preservation of our fauna and ecosystems," Margaretha stated. She urged both foreign and Indonesian citizens to adhere to quarantine regulations and obtain necessary documents before transporting animals abroad, warning that wild animals are not souvenirs to be taken without authorization.

Wild animals are not souvenirs that can be taken out of the country at will. Every animal traffic must follow quarantine provisions and regulations related to animal protection.

— Duma Sari MargarethaHead of the Banten Animal, Fish, and Plant Quarantine Agency, advising the public on animal transport regulations.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by CNN Indonesia in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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