JAKARTA, July 9 (Xinhua) -- Officials from the Ministry of Forestry have successfully foiled an illegal trade operation involving hundreds of rare insects on the brink of extinction, Fredrik E. Tumbel, head of the Forestry Law Enforcement Agency for the Maluku and Papua Regions, said Wednesday.
Tumbel said the case was uncovered following a cyber patrol conducted by the agency's intelligence unit in early June, which identified an online account posting images of various protected butterfly and beetle specimens.
In coordination with the Southwest Papua Natural Resources Conservation Agency, the authorities arrested a suspect and confiscated multiple specimens of protected insects.
In total, officials seized 170 preserved specimens of butterflies and beetles.
"The agency remains committed to taking firm action against any violations of wildlife protection, including illegal online trade," Tumbel said.
He also urged the public to avoid buying or selling wildlife, whether alive or dead. ■