A travel driver in Indonesia was arrested by police and wildlife conservation officers after being caught smuggling a pair of endangered slow lorises.

The joint team from the West Sumatra Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) and the Agam Police Criminal Unit arrested the driver on Wednesday (March 24).

The perpetrator with the initials HJ (44) was reportedly arrested without resistance while waiting for a buyer at a food stall in the Bawan traditional market with the two slow lorises.

The two slow lorises were found in two small boxes used for light bulbs, motorbikes and cell phones used by the perpetrators in carrying out the action.

"The evidence in the form of two slow lorises is currently being handed over to the BKSDA and will soon be released back into the wild after investigators coordinate with the public prosecutor," local official Ade Putra commented.

The suspect was charged under Article 21 paragraph 2 of Law Number 5 Year 1990 concerning Conservation of Living Natural Resources and their Ecosystems, with the threat of 5 years in prison and a fine of 100 million rupiah (£5,000).

A joint team from the West Sumatra Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) and the Agam Police Criminal Unit arrested a travel driver for selling slow lorises. This animal is included in the protection list.

The perpetrator with the initials HJ (44) was arrested while waiting for a buyer at a food stall in the Bawan traditional market with two slow lorises on Wednesday, March 24.

"There was no resistance from the suspect during the arrest," said Forest Ecosystem Controller of the West Sumatra BKSDA, Ade Putra, on Thursday, March 25.

Together with the perpetrators, two slow lorises were also secured, which were stored in two small boxes used for light bulbs, motorbikes and cell phones used by the perpetrators in carrying out the action.

The condition of the slow loris is very apprehensive as its forced into a narrow light box. This condition makes the slow loris look stressful.

"The evidence in the form of two slow lorises is currently being handed over to the BKSDA and will soon be released back into the wild after investigators coordinate with the public prosecutor," Ade Putra added.

From the data obtained, the suspect had traded tiger skins, clouded leopards, gibbons, including hoops. In early December 2020, the suspect failed to be arrested, as he didn't want to show his tiger skin.

The suspect selling slow lorises is charged with Article 21 paragraph 2 of Law Number 5 Year 1990 concerning Conservation of Living Natural Resources and their Ecosystems. With the threat of 5 years in prison and a fine of 100 million rupiah (£ 5,000).

The slow loris or with the Latin name Nycticebus coucang, is a type of primate that is protected by legislation in Indonesia. Meanwhile, internationally, its conservation status is endangered and is included in the Appendix I classification, which means that it cannot be used for trade.