The Pandeglang District Prosecutor’s Office has destroyed firearms used by poachers of the critically endangered Javan rhinoceros, following a final and legally binding verdict from the Pandeglang District Court. The destruction process was witnessed directly by Ardi Andono, Head of the Ujung Kulon National Park Authority.
The confiscated weapons were evidence from law enforcement actions against violations within the Ujung Kulon National Park (TNUK) conservation area, committed by convicted individuals. Among those convicted were Suhendi, Atang, Sahru, Leli, Sayudin, Karip, Isnen, Willy, and Yogi. The items destroyed included:
- one military-grade long-barreled firearm,
- three homemade long guns,
- one handgun,
- live military-grade bullets,
- improvised ammunition,
- gunpowder,
- coconut husk used as firing wicks,
- and various other items.
Read: 6 suspected poachers arrested over killing of 26 Javan rhinos
Historic Rhino Poaching Case Sets Legal Precedent in Indonesia
Head of the Ujung Kulon National Park Agency, Ardi Andono, expressed his deepest gratitude and highest appreciation to the Banten High Prosecutor’s Office and the Banten Regional Police.
“I would also like to thank the Pandeglang District Prosecutor’s Office, the Pandeglang District Court, and the Pandeglang Police for their synergy in resolving the Javan Rhino poaching case in Ujung Kulon National Park,” he told RadarBanten.co.id on Thursday, July 24, 2025.
Read this: Javan Rhino Poacher Gets 12 Years Prison
The case was successfully prosecuted to completion in the Pandeglang District Court, resulting in sentences of 11 and 12 years in prison for the perpetrators. These sentences mark the highest demands and rulings ever handed down in Indonesia for wildlife poaching crimes.
Read as well: 15 Javan Rhinos Disapeared since 2019
“This ruling sets an important precedent and serves as a stern warning to anyone attempting to harm or hunt protected species within Ujung Kulon National Park,” he added.
Meanwhile, Pandeglang District Chief Prosecutor Aco Rahmadi Jaya emphasized that the destruction of evidence was a reflection of both accountability and transparency—demonstrating to the public that the legal process does not end at sentencing, but continues through to full execution.
“We want to highlight that among the items destroyed were firearms used in crimes against the conservation of biological resources and ecosystems—specifically in the killing of Javan Rhinos, a protected and critically endangered species within Ujung Kulon,” he stated.
The Javan Rhino killing case drew special attention due to its impact on the survival of one of the world’s rarest endemic species, which is also considered a valuable national asset.
Look at this: 26 Javan rhinos killed by poachers
“The Pandeglang District Prosecutor’s Office, in coordination with law enforcement agencies and environmental preservation institutions, is firmly committed to cracking down on environmental and conservation crimes. Dangerous evidence like this will never be allowed back into public hands,” he asserted.
Through this initiative, the Prosecutor’s Office aims to affirm that law enforcement must be tangible, comprehensive, and deterrent—while also providing a sense of security to the public.
“The Pandeglang Prosecutor’s Office will continue to strengthen prosecution efforts all the way through to the routine and transparent destruction of evidence. We express our appreciation and thanks to everyone who collaborated on this legal process—from the initial investigations by the Pandeglang Police, to the prosecution, the judges’ rulings, and finally the execution phase,” he said.
Ria Ramadhayanti, Head of Asset Recovery and Evidence Management (PAPBB) at the Pandeglang Prosecutor’s Office, added that the destroyed evidence came from 53 general criminal cases.
“These included 17 narcotics cases, 20 cases involving public order and state security, and 16 cases involving crimes against persons and property,” she explained.
Source: Radar Banten
