Wildlife Crimes Unit

Wildlife Crimes Unit with SPORC (Rapid Response Forest Guard) Brigade Macan Tutul arrested tiger skin trader (initial: Als) in Sibolga, North Sumatra (January 25, 2010). The suspect was arrested when he sold 34 small pieces of tiger skins in Nauli Market, Sibolga. Als kept the skins into 2 cans in his market and covered by other traditional medicine products. Als sold the skins for magic purposes. Tiger skin in Northern Sumatra was believed would protect user from dangerous things, increasing confidence, and for traditional healing. The patient will asked to shaman to get receipt. Then the shaman will write some stuff includes tiger skin for the media to reach their purpose.

The operation was begun when WCU informers found that Als selling tiger skins to some buyer at December 2009. In July 2009, Als has been arrested by SPORC and WCU, but the case progress is very slowly because legal document that was made by civil investigator from SPORC not yet finished. Als then use different modus to camouflage his illegal trade. He cut whole tiger skin into small pieces to deceive forest guard and police. WCU investigator detected this modus after show fake receipt from famous shaman in Sibolga. Als showed small pieces of tiger skins in the can.

WCU and SPORC Brigade Macan Tutul under Paber Turnip commander set up operation to arrest Als. The operation successfully arrested Als with 34 pieces tiger skins. The suspect will be processed by SPORC civil investigator under police supervision from Polda North Sumatra (police officer on provincial level). Based on Als testimony, he got tiger skins from dealer in Sidimpuan, small town about 50 km from Sibolga. Dealer got tiger skin from hunters who hunted tiger in Batangtoru, Mandailing Natal and Batang Gadis forest. WCU and SPORC plan to continue operation to arrest dealer in Sidimpuan. (dna)