13 Pontons Of Tin Ore Illegal Mining Ship Seized By West Bangka Police

JAKARTA - The West Bangka Resort Police, Bangka Belitung Islands Province, together with the Indonesian Navy arrested 13 units of tin ore wild mining pontoons operating in British Gulf waters, Mentok.

"This is a form of our joint commitment in controlling illegal mining," said Head of the Public Relations Section of the West Bangka Police, Iptu Yos Sudarso, quoting NTARA, Sunday, July 6.

He explained that this control is a firm step towards mining activities without permits that are still ongoing despite previous warnings and actions.

The control was carried out by a joint team consisting of personnel from the West Bangka Police and Air Police Unit and soldiers from the Mentok Navy Post, 13 units of ponton were arrested and pulled out of the location for later confiscation.

Against the 13 arrested pontoons, the West Bangka Police will conduct further investigations to reveal the owner and party responsible for the illegal activities.

Control will continue to be carried out to clean these waters from illegal activities, and from this arrest, an in-depth investigation will be carried out to trace the owner and operator.

"The legal process will continue according to the provisions," he said.

The police will not hesitate to take firm action if within 1x24 hours the miners do not pull out a number of other pontoons that are still parked at the site.

"If it is not heeded, then we will again make a forced withdrawal because mining activities without a permit are a serious violation of the law, and anyone involved will be processed according to applicable regulations," he said.