MEDAN - The North Sumatra Regional Police (Polda) seized 12 excavators suspected of being used to illegally mine gold in the border area of Mandailing Natal Regency and South Tapanuli Regency (Tapsel).
"Currently, all the evidence of the 12 excavators has been handed over to the Special Criminal Investigation Directorate of the North Sumatra Police for further investigation and development," said the Head of the North Sumatra Police's Brimob, Kombes Rantau Isnur Eka, as reported by ANTARA, Tuesday, March 3.
Rantau said the activity was an order from the National Police Chief through the North Sumatra Police Chief regarding the existence of a social media video of illegal mines in the Mandailing Natal and South Tapanuli areas.
He explained that it was not easy to reach the location, because the location was extreme and difficult to penetrate with ordinary vehicles.
After mapping and tracking for hours, Brimob personnel and the North Sumatra Regional Police Special Criminal Directorate had to travel on foot for more than 12 hours.
Meanwhile, the team of breakers who use two-wheeled vehicles need about 3.5 hours, because only vehicles with "offroad" specifications are able to pass through the path.
"Alhamdulillah, praise God, 12 excavators we secured and several suspects who may have their respective roles. Later, it will not be us, the Brimob, but the North Sumatra Regional Police's Ditkrimsus," he said.
Rantau said during the operation, there was an alleged leak of information during the ambush in the morning which made the miners flee towards Mandailing Natal.
However, the pursuit continued until all the target heavy equipment that was suspected of being used to illegally mine gold in the area was successfully controlled by personnel.
The English, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and French versions are automatically generated by the AI. So there may still be inaccuracies in translating, please always see Indonesian as our main language. (system supported by DigitalSiber.id)
