9 Tons Of Illegal Fuel Allegedly For Illegal Gold Mining In Central West Mimika Arrested By Police

CENTRAL PAPUA - The police secured as much as nine tons of fuel oil (BBM) type diesel subsidies suspected of being illegal to be sent to Mimika Barat Tengah District, Central Papua, to support unofficial or illegal gold mining activities.

"From the public reports we received, the illegal fuel will be used for illegal gold mining activities in the Central West Mimika District area," said Mimika Police Chief AKBP Billyandha Hilde Budiman in Timika, Tuesday, as quoted by Antara.

Currently, he said, the illegal fuel has been taken to the Mimika Police Headquarters on Agimuga Street, Mile 32, Kuala Kencana District for further investigation.

He said his party was still asking for information from motorists (motor boat drivers) to find out who owns the fuel and where they got it.

"The person concerned is still a witness. So far no one has been arrested regarding the discovery of the illegal fuel," he said.

The police chief said he would thoroughly investigate the case, including if any of its members were involved in backing up the smuggling of fuel to a illegal gold mine site in the Wakia area, Central West Mimika.

"If any of our members are involved, I will definitely process it. What is clear is that the gold mining activities there are indications that they are illegal or illegal," explained Billyandha.

Previously, Natalis Boga as the Head of Wotai Village, Kilometer 30 Kapiraya, Central West Mimika said that the fuel was not used for personal gain, but to support the development and needs of the people in Wumuka and Wotai villages.

Natalis regretted the community's actions in confiscation of nine tons of subsidized diesel fuel when they arrived in Uta Village, Central West Mimika.

Illegal gold mining activities in the Wakia area in recent years have sparked conflict between residents of the Kamoro Tribe and the Mee Tribe which lives in the Central West Mimika region.

In 2024, the fire of the house of a resident of the Kamoro Tribe was carried out by residents of the Mee Tribe who refused illegal gold mining activities in the area.

Until now, hundreds of heads of families of fire victims in Wakia Village have been forced to flee to Wumuka Village, by building emergency houses along rivers in the area.

This year the Mimika Regency Housing, Settlement and Land Office has planned to build 15 type 45 housing units sourced from special autonomy funds (Otsus) for fire victims in Wakia Village, Central West Mimika District.