# Indonesia forestry enforcement crackdown

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/indonesia-forestry-enforcement-crackdown
> Updated: 2026-08-06T07:02:16.000Z. Sources: 20. Developments: 6.

In late July 2026 Indonesia’s Ministry of Forestry intensified enforcement against forest crimes in Sumatra, seizing illegal timber, arresting operators, and expanding to wildlife trafficking. The crackdown continued through the end of July, with the same two men (S, 64; TN, 26) detained for building an illegal road in Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park and suspect BS (50) handed to prosecutors with heavy equipment and 152 logs. Detection dogs at the ports of Bakauheni and Bandar Lampung intercepted wildlife shipments, leading to the seizure of pangolin scales and hornbill beaks and the arrest of a 23‑year‑old suspect. On 23 July, forestry law‑enforcement officers stopped a truck on the Medan–Kabanjahe road in North Sumatra and seized 598 processed wood logs carried on falsified paperwork; the driver, identified as HSB, was detained. A week later the same ministry named S and TN as suspects for illegal activities in Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park, warning that illegal road openings can trigger broader crimes such as poaching and logging. On 1 August, a joint operation by the Ministry of Forestry and KSDA Riau captured three suspects (E, 56; SH, 55; A, 46) in the Kerumutan Wildlife Sanctuary, destroying makeshift logging shelters and seizing timber and vehicles. The raid targeted illegal logging that threatens the critically endangered Sumatra tiger and invoked Laws No. 32/2024 and 1/2026. On 6 August, police in Pontianak seized over 550 t of pangolin scales and 42 t of pangolin claws, arresting two suspects linked to a supply network in West Kalimantan. In Padang, forest police seized 10 kg of pangolin scales and 16 rangkong bird beaks, arresting a 23‑year‑old suspect. Both actions applied the 2024 wildlife‑conservation law and highlighted continued efforts to dismantle illegal wildlife‑trade networks.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-06: Indonesia cracks down on illegal pangolin and bird parts trade

Indonesian police seized hundreds of tonnes of pangolin scales and claws in Pontianak and ten kilos of scales plus bird beaks in Padang, arresting suspects and invoking the 2024 wildlife conservation law.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/indonesia-cracks-down-on-illegal-pangolin-and-bird-parts-trade

### 2026-08-04: Indonesia arrests three in illegal logging raid on Sumatra tiger sanctuary

Indonesia's Ministry of Forestry seized three illegal loggers in the Kerumutan Wildlife Sanctuary, Riau, on 1 Aug 2026, targeting timber theft that endangers Sumatra tiger habitat; suspects face up to 11 years'

8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/indonesia-arrests-three-in-illegal-logging-raid-on-sumatra-tiger-sanctuary

### 2026-08-01: Indonesia revokes Mentawai forest permits and arrests illegal loggers in Riau

Indonesia cancelled three forest permits in Mentawai, prompting NGOs to demand indigenous‑rights‑based restoration, while authorities arrested three illegal loggers in Riau's Kerumutan sanctuary, protecting Sum

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/indonesia-revokes-mentawai-forest-permits-and-arrests-illegal-loggers-in-riau

### 2026-07-31: Indonesia's Forestry Ministry cracks down on illegal wildlife trade

Indonesia's Forestry Ministry used detection dogs in Lampung and seized pangolin scales and hornbill beaks near Padang, arresting a suspect as part of a crackdown on wildlife trafficking.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/indonesias-forestry-ministry-cracks-down-on-illegal-wildlife-trade

### 2026-07-30: Indonesia's Forestry Ministry cracks down on illegal road building and timber harvesting

Indonesia's Forestry Ministry detained suspects for an illegal road in Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park and for illegal timber harvesting in Solok, citing severe threats to conservation and imposing prison‑c

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/indonesias-forestry-ministry-cracks-down-on-illegal-road-building-and-timber-harvesting

### 2026-07-28: Indonesia's Forestry Ministry Seizes 598 Wood Logs and Arrests Two Suspects in Park Intrusion

Indonesia's Forestry Ministry seized 598 processed wood logs in North Sumatra and arrested two suspects for illegal activity in Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park, underscoring a crackdown on forest crimes.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/indonesias-forestry-ministry-seizes-598-wood-logs-and-arrests-two-suspects-in-park-intrusion

---
Cite as: Indonesia forestry enforcement crackdown. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/indonesia-forestry-enforcement-crackdown
