MEDAN, Indonesia — On Tuesday, officials in Indonesia announced the successful disruption of an operation aimed at illegally transporting over one ton of pangolin scales, valued at around $1.3 million.
The scales, weighing approximately 1.2 tons, were discovered on November 11 in the Asahan district of North Sumatra. They were supposedly destined for China, with stops planned in Malaysia and Singapore along the way, according to Rasio Ridho Sani, the director general of law enforcement from the environment ministry.

During a press conference, Sani revealed that four individuals, three of whom are members of the military, have been apprehended in connection with the incident. These individuals were caught with a portion of the seized pangolin scales and will face charges for possessing the carcasses of protected species. Following investigations, authorities located the remaining scales in a residence linked to one of the suspects in Asahan.

If convicted, the four suspects could receive prison sentences of up to 20 years and fines reaching $314,000. Expert estimates suggest that the scales originate from around 5,900 deceased pangolins.

The booming demand for pangolin scales and their meat has spurred extensive poaching, putting serious pressure on these animals across Asia. Pangolin scales are frequently utilized in traditional Chinese medicine due to their keratin content, although there is no established scientific evidence supporting their medicinal benefits. Additionally, pangolin meat is regarded as a delicacy in various regions, including Vietnam and certain areas of China.

Among the four species of pangolins found in Asia, one is classified as endangered, while the others are critically endangered by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), making their trade illegal.

“Killing thousands of pangolins will disrupt the balance of nature and damage the ecosystem, thereby harming both the environment and society,” stated Sani. He emphasized that the suspects should receive the maximum penalties to serve as a deterrent to others.

This year, Indonesian authorities have thwarted eight attempts to smuggle pangolins or their scales, predominantly on the island of Sumatra, which highlights the continuing high demand for these products.