TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Customs and excise officers at Soekarno-Hatta Airport arrested FL, a Chinese citizen, and YJ, a Zambian citizen, who allegedly smuggled hundreds of elephant tusks and rhino horns worth Rp3.87 billion to Indonesia.

"They brought elephant tusks and rhino horns as regular luggage that was reported to customs," said Customs and Excises director general Heru Pambudi on Tuesday, February 16, 2016.

FL brought five pieces of elephant tusks weighing at 109.15 kilograms and worth Rp3.27 billion. The tusks were put in a bag and brought from Abu Dhabi. Meanwhile, YJ carried two rhino horns and 163 elephant tusks in his suitcase. YJ told offices they were brought from Zambia and would be carved and turned into table decorations that will be sold for Rp600 million.

Awen Supranata, the head of Jakarta's Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) said that illegal trade of protected wild animals and natural plants is increasing from time to time. "Every kind [of smuggled goods] have exceptional economic value," Awen said.

Awen said that one kilogram of elephant tusk can be valued at Rp 30 million. The tusk is cut to boxes to be later used for accessories and medicine. For one rhino horn, Awen said that the price could go up to almost Rp300 million.

JONIANSYAH