Kepri police uncover transit hub for smuggling dried wildlife to Vietnam, naming foreign mastermind.

The Riau Islands Police (Polda Kepri) have dismantled a multimillion-rupiah illegal wildlife trade in Batam, seizing tons of dried species intended for export to Vietnam and identifying a Vietnamese national as the alleged ringleader.

Operation in Batam

On August 20, 2025, officers from Polda Kepri’s Special Crimes Directorate raided a shop-house in Golden City, Bengkong, Batam, following community tips about suspicious activity. The location, run by Mahmud Hasibuan, was used to store wildlife products sourced from across Indonesia before shipment abroad.

Wildlife Seized as Evidence

Authorities confiscated large quantities of dried animals:

• 72 sacks of dried sawfish (pari kikir) skins, totaling 2.1 tons
• 86 sacks and 15 boxes of cicadas (tonggeret), weighing 867 kilograms
• 2 boxes containing around 1,000 dried centipedes

Police estimated the total value of the seized wildlife at Rp1.3–2 billion.

Vietnam Connection

Investigations revealed that the wildlife belonged to a Vietnamese national identified as LAM, described as the boss of Mahmud. While Mahmud is being questioned as a witness, LAM has been declared a fugitive and placed on the police wanted list. Authorities confirmed that Batam was being used as a key transit point for the smuggling network.

Legal Process Underway

Deputy Police Chief of Kepri, Brig. Gen. Anom Wibowo, emphasized that the case is a warning against Batam becoming a hub for cross-border trafficking. The case is being investigated under Article 88 of Law No. 21/2019 on Animal, Fish, and Plant Quarantine, which carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison and a Rp2 billion fine.

Broader Implications

Police noted the smuggling bypassed Indonesia’s quarantine system, posing environmental and economic risks. The operation also highlights the persistent demand for illegal wildlife products in foreign markets, underscoring the importance of stronger cross-border enforcement between Indonesia and Vietnam.

The Batam bust exposes both the scale of Indonesia’s illegal wildlife trade and the city’s role as a transit hub for cross-border trafficking. For Indonesians and Singaporeans alike, the case signals an urgent need for tougher enforcement and regional cooperation to safeguard biodiversity and stop profiteering from endangered species.

Sources: Ulasan.co (2025) , Batam Pos (2025)

Keywords: Batam Wildlife Case, Illegal Trade, Polda Kepri, Vietnam Smuggling, Dried Species, Environmental Law