TEMPO.CO, Banten - The Customs Directorate General thwarted the smuggling of 71,982 lobster larvae to Singapore. Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati said the overall value of the larvae is estimated to reach Rp 30 billion.

"We initially estimated it was worth Rp14.4 billion, but Mrs. Susi [Pudjiastuti] said the value is twice that," Sri said in a press conference at Soekarno Hatta Airport’s Customs and Excise Office in Tangerang, Friday, February 23. Marine and Fishery Affairs Minister, Susi Pudjiastuti, whom she referred to, was also there.

Read: Lobster Seeds Smuggling Thwarted

Sri said the smuggling attempt was discovered by Customs officers on Thursday, February 22. The larvae were put in 193 packets at the airport’s departure terminal 2D. The contraband item almost managed to leave Indonesia, as they were already inside the checked baggages of passengers boarding a Lion Air jet with flight number JT 0162, which was departing to Singapore.

Following a lead, the officer re-checked passengers' luggages and found four suitcases containing the 193 lobster larvae packs. The four luggage owners, YYA, AJ, PF, and MRW were then detained.

Susi Pudjiastuti thanked Customs officers for their success in foiling the smuggling attempt. She said that lobster larvaes are among germplasm that must be protected.

FAJAR FEBRIANTO