The Indonesian Coast Guard (Bakamla) intercepted an attempted smuggling of 60,000 baby lobsters in the waters near D Island, Thousands Island regency, Jakarta, on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. 

The operation, conducted by the KN Pulau Marore-322 patrol vessel, resulted in the seizure of two suitcases containing 22 plastic bags of baby lobsters, which were abandoned on an unmanned wooden boat.

The operation was held following a tip-off from the Indonesian Military Strategic Intelligence Agency (BAIS TNI) regarding a suspected smuggling attempt in the area. The Bakamla Task Force immediately reported the findings to Rear Admiral Octavianus Budi Susanto, Director of Maritime Operations at Bakamla, who ordered KN Pulau Marore-322, the nearest available patrol unit, to conduct an interception and inspection operation. 

KN Pulau Marore-322 Commander Lieutenant Colonel Adi Poetra Parlindungan then mobilized a Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) team to locate and inspect the suspected vessel.

At 2:10 am, the VBSS team detected an unmanned wooden boat approximately 1.0 nautical mile (NM) away. Upon boarding and searching the vessel, officers discovered two suitcases containing 22 bags of baby lobsters. The smugglers had abandoned the boat, leaving no crew members on board.

By 2:30 am, the KN Pulau Marore-322 team had completed the search and secured the seized cargo. The suitcases were then transported to Muara Baru Port for further examination. However, the wooden boat was found in a severely damaged state, leaking water, making it impossible to tow back to shore.

Further inspection of the seized items revealed that the 22 plastic bags contained approximately 60,000 baby lobsters, with an estimated market value of Rp 1.05 billion (US$67,000). The lobsters were then handed over to the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) and the Fisheries Resources Surveillance Agency (PSDKP) Jakarta for further investigation and legal proceedings.

"This operation is part of our tasks to safeguard Indonesia’s maritime territory and prevent illegal activities at sea. We will continue with our efforts in enforcing maritime security laws," Rear Admiral Octavianus said in a statement as quoted on Tuesday, March 11, 2025.