Find 10 Excavators In Illegal Coal Mining Areas In Muara Enim, South Sumatra Police Only Seize 1 Unit

The South Sumatra Police Ditreskrimsus team carried out mapping and data collection from the air using helicopters. (ANTARA/HO-Humas Polda)

The Directorate of Special Criminal Investigation (Ditreskrimsus) of the South Sumatra Police (Sumsel) has taken action against illegal coal mining areas in Muara Enim Regency.

The action after mapping from the air and direct observations from the ground involved the police and the western stone mining BUMN, PT Bukit Asam.

The police then found 10 excavators parked in illegal mining areas in the mapping area. However, only one unit of a green excavator was secured from an illegal mining area in Darmo Village, Lawang Kidul District.

"We have evacuated the excavator to be temporarily entrusted as evidence to PT Bukit Asam, for further investigation," said Director of the South Sumatra Police Ditreskrimsus Kombes Pol Bagus Suropratomo in Muara Enim, South Sumatra, Thursday, August 29, confiscated by Antara.

In addition to excavators, the police also checked the entry and exit routes of illegal coal transportation vehicles in Darmo Village, Lengi Village, and Penyandingan Village.

"This illegal mining action is an implementation of the direction of the National Police Chief which is forwarded to all regional police chiefs in response to President Prabowo's orders. This operation is expected to provide a deterrent effect for the perpetrators and reduce the number of illegal mining in South Sumatra," said Bagus.