Karangasem police arrested six people on Tuesday night attempting to smuggle in 51 sea turtles, reports the Jakarta Post.
The turtles, worth an alleged IDR150 million, are protected by the government. This botched operation could land the six alleged perpetrators a maximum of five years behind bars with a fine of IDR100 million.
“We allege that they planned to sell the turtles to be eaten,” said Bali Police chief Insp. Gen. Albertus Julius Benny Mokalu, as quoted by the Jakarta Post.
The boat carrying the turtles was on its way from Madura to Kubu, Karangasem (north Bali), when around 9:30pm police reportedly found the endangered green sea turtles.
The six boat crew as named by the Jakarta Post are Fidaus, 30, Bakrie, 39, Riko, 18, Asan Arman, 32, Muharam, 29, and Arip, 23 (all are natives of Sumenep, Madura).
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Photo: Wikimedia Commons
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