A man named Obet Tarigan, also known as OT (43), was arrested while attempting to sell 13 kilograms of pangolin scales in Medan City, North Sumatra. In this case, Obet was sentenced to 2.5 years in prison.

“The defendant Obet Tarigan is sentenced to imprisonment for 2 years and 6 months, minus the time the defendant has been in custody and detention,” reads the sentence, as quoted from the Medan District Court SIPP page.

The sentence was read on May 20, 2026. In the sentence, the public prosecutor determined that the defendant was proven to have traded specimens and parts of protected animals, as stated in the sole indictment.

Previously, the Medan City Police Chief stated that the perpetrator was arrested in the parking lot of a fast-food restaurant on AH Nasution Street, Medan Johor District, on November 4, 2025. At that time, Obet was carrying 13 kg of pangolin scales in a sack.

“The method was the same, published on social media. The price per kg is at least IDR 1,200,000, at their level,” said the Police Chief during a press conference.

The Police Chief explained that the owner of the pangolin scales was still being pursued by police officers. The owner of the pangolin scales had entrusted the scales to Obet for sale.

“There is a wanted person X whom we are pursuing. He is the owner of these pangolin scales and entrusted them for sale. According to information obtained in the Medan Johor area, at the time the suspect OT was about to transact with a potential buyer, at that same moment the arrest of suspect OT was carried out,” he explained.

The former director of the North Sumatra Police Narcotics Division said that the pangolin scales were sold through an online marketplace. After that, Obet’s communication with potential buyers would move to WhatsApp or direct messages.

After his arrest, Obet was taken to the Medan City Police for further investigation. Obet was charged under the Law on Conservation of Biological Natural Resources and Ecosystems, with a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison.

Medan City

Medan, the capital of North Sumatra, Indonesia, is a major economic and cultural hub known for its diverse population and colonial-era architecture. Originally a small village, it grew rapidly in the late 19th century as a center for the Dutch tobacco and rubber plantations, attracting immigrants from across the region. Today, the city is famous for landmarks like the Maimun Palace and the Great Mosque of Medan, reflecting its rich multicultural heritage.

Medan District Court

The Medan District Court, located in Medan, North Sumatra, Indonesia, is a key judicial institution established during the Dutch colonial era. Its historic building, constructed in the early 20th century, reflects colonial architectural influences and has served as a center for legal proceedings in the region for over a century. Today, it continues to function as a primary court handling civil and criminal cases, playing a vital role in the Indonesian legal system.

AH Nasution Street

AH Nasution Street, located in Jakarta, Indonesia, is named after Abdul Haris Nasution, a prominent Indonesian general and National Hero who played a key role in the country’s struggle for independence and its early military history. The street gained historical significance as the site of the 1965 assassination attempt on Nasution during the G30S movement, which targeted top military leaders and ultimately led to major political changes in Indonesia. Today, it serves as a notable landmark reflecting the nation’s complex past and honoring Nasution’s legacy.

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Maimun Palace

Maimun Palace, also known as Istana Maimun, is a historic royal palace located in Medan, North Sumatra, Indonesia. Built in 1888 by the Sultan of Deli, Sultan Ma’mun Al Rashid Perkasa Alamsyah, the palace showcases a unique blend of Malay, Islamic, and European architectural styles. Today, it remains a popular tourist attraction and a symbol of the region’s cultural heritage, with parts of the palace still used for traditional ceremonies.

Great Mosque of Medan

The Great Mosque of Medan, also known as Masjid Raya Al-Mashun, is a historic mosque located in Medan, Indonesia. Built between 1906 and 1909 during the Dutch colonial era, it was commissioned by the Sultan of Deli and designed in a unique architectural style blending Malay, Mughal, and European influences. The mosque remains a significant cultural and religious landmark, symbolizing the region’s rich Islamic heritage and colonial history.

Medan District Court

The Medan District Court, located in Medan, North Sumatra, Indonesia, is a key judicial institution that handles civil and criminal cases in the region. Its history traces back to the Dutch colonial era, when the legal system was first established to serve the administrative and judicial needs of the East Indies. Today, it operates under Indonesia’s modern legal framework, reflecting the country’s post-independence judicial reforms.

AH Nasution Street

AH Nasution Street is a historically significant road in Jakarta, Indonesia, named after General Abdul Haris Nasution, a prominent Indonesian military leader and theorist. The street is most famous for being the site of the former home of General Nasution, which was attacked during the 1965 coup attempt known as the G30S movement, making it a key location in Indonesia’s modern history. Today, the area houses the Satriamandala Museum, a military museum that preserves artifacts and memories from that turbulent period.