0 Police officer caught turtle smuggling

An officer with the Marine Police was apprehended by local residents at Pandawa Beach, South Kuta, on Thursday night. The officer, identified as MR, is currently being detained at the Denpasar Police headquarters for his alleged involvement in the smuggling of 22 turtles. South Kuta Police chief Comr. Gede Ganefo confirmed the arrest of the officer. He said the 22 turtles were being looked after by Bali’s Natural Conservation Office. Comr. Ambariadi Wijaya, head of Denpasar Police’s criminal unit, said the suspect was still undergoing questioning. 

MR was arrested after a local security officer, Wayan Mardina, was suspicious when seeing him on CCTV riding around the beach on his motorcycle. When Mardina asked him, he said he was a Marine Police officer. Mardina did not believe him and reported him to the village head. MR was arrested, but then released after negotiations. However, Mardina still did not believe the officer and decided to go around the beach. He found the turtles and informed other villagers. Several hours later, MR came back to the scene driving a car with someone he referred to as a “freelance driver”. He tried to escape from the villagers, but the car could not get out of the area because the gate had been closed by the local security officers.

source : bali daily