Illegal Sand Mining, Two Perpetrators Arrested By Bintan Police

BINTAN - The Criminal Investigation Unit of the Bintan Resort Police (Polres), Riau Islands, arrested two illegal sand miners with the initials AM (51) and ST Als M (48).

Bintan Police Criminal Investigation Unit Head AKP Muhammad Darma Ardiyaniki said the two perpetrators were arrested while carrying out illegal sand mining activities in Teluk Bakau Village, Gunung Kijang District, Saturday, March 11.

"Both of them carried out sand mining activities without permission using a sand suction engine. The sand was then put into the buyer's truck and sold for Rp. 450,000 per truck," said AKP Ardiyaniki as quoted by ANTARA.

He explained that the arrests of the two perpetrators stemmed from information from residents that there was a sand mining activity in the Teluk Bakau area. After that, the Bintan Police Satreskrim ranks immediately went to the field to conduct an investigation.

According to the Head of Criminal Investigation Unit, at that location the members found a unit of a sand suction engine connected to the pipes. At the same time, the two perpetrators of AM and AT were caught red-handed sipping the sand in the place.

When interrogated, Kasat continued, the two admitted to having carried out sand mining without permission from the local government since February 2023 so that they were immediately secured with evidence to the Bintan Police Headquarters.

The two perpetrators have been named suspects and detained in the Bintan Police Detention Cell for further investigation and development.

The actions of the two suspects violated Article 158 of Law of the Republic of Indonesia Number 3 of 2020 (Revision of Law of the Republic of Indonesia Number 4 of 2009) concerning Mineral and Coal Mining or Mining Minerals and Coal Without Permits with a maximum imprisonment of five years and a maximum fine of IDR 10 billion.

"We urge the public, both companies and individuals, not to carry out illegal sand mining because they violate the law and can be punished. If they want to carry out mining, immediately take care of permits to the office that has the authority to issue permits," said the Head of Criminal Investigation Unit of the Bintan Police.