West Sumatra Regional Police Special Criminal Investigation Director Arrests 4 Illegal Gold Mining Excavator Operators in West Pasaman
West Pasaman, West Sumatra, Kompas86.Com. Police arrested four illegal gold mining excavator operators in the Batang Pasaman River, Muara Mangkisek, Jorong Tombang, Sinuruik Village, Talamau District, West Pasaman, on Wednesday (August 20).
The Director of Special Criminal Investigation of the West Sumatra Regional Police, Senior Commissioner Andri Kurniawan, stated that the raid was led by the West Sumatra Regional Police’s Special Criminal Investigation Directorate (Ditreskrimsus) and conducted in conjunction with the West Pasaman Police Criminal Investigation Unit (Satreskrim). During the raid, his team discovered two excavators being operated by four individuals taking turns to mine gold illegally.
“Two operators are being held at the West Sumatra Regional Police Headquarters, while the other two operators are being held at the West Pasaman Police Headquarters,” Andri told Sumbarkita on Friday (August 22nd).
Andri explained that one police report involving two suspects and evidence of heavy equipment was handled by the Special Criminal Investigation Directorate, while the other police report involving two suspects and evidence of heavy equipment was handled by the West Pasaman Police Criminal Investigation Unit. Andri stated that his team charged the four suspects under Article 158 of Law Number 4 of 2009 concerning Mineral and Coal Mining, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.
Regarding the excavators, Andri stated that the two excavators were still on the banks of the Batang Pasaman River in Muara Mangkisek. His team was unable to transport the two pieces of heavy equipment due to damage.
“We are trying to repair the two pieces of heavy equipment and then they will be transported to the nearest police station,” Andri said.
During the raid, Andri said, his team only found the four excavator operators at the location. Additionally, his team found a gold dust filter box and a tent where miners rested. They then burned the box and tent to prevent their further use.
Journalist Donal Siahaan
