Selling Protected Papuan Birds on Facebook, MH Threatens 15 Years in Prison

JAYAPURA, GARISBUMI.com – The Ministry of Forestry uncovered the trade in seven protected birds in Jayapura, Papua, which were marketed via Facebook. The perpetrator with the initials MH (35) now faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison and a fine of up to IDR 5 billion.

Head of the Public Relations and Foreign Cooperation Bureau of the Ministry of Forestry, Ristianto Pribadi, said the case was uncovered through cyber patrols carried out by the Kangaroo Brigade Quick Reaction Forestry Police Unit (SPORC) Intelligence Team.

“Cyber ​​patrols found offers of protected birds via social media. "The digital findings were then developed until officers succeeded in identifying the perpetrator, the storage location and the animals being traded," he said. Ristianto said.

The Ministry of Forestry, through the Maluku and Papua Region III Jayapura Forestry Law Enforcement Agency, has handed over MH and evidence to the Papua High Prosecutor's Office, Monday, August 31 2026.

The transfer of suspects and evidence or Stage II is carried out after the case file is declared complete or P-21 by the Jayapura District Prosecutor's Office. With this delegation, MH's case then entered the prosecution stage.

Seven protected birds were rescued

Officers rescued seven parrots alive. The birds consisted of five black-headed muskrats (Lorius lory), one parrot parrot (Eclectus roratus), and one chef's cockatoo (Cacatua galerita).

Apart from birds, investigators also secured four cages used to store animals.