23 Illegal Mines Successfully Rolled Up By The Central Java Police With 22 Suspects

Central Java Police Chief Inspector General Ahmad Luthfi saw evidence of a illegal mining case/ Photo: Doc. Central Java Police

The Central Java Police's Bumi Puser Task Force and its staff managed to overthrow 23 illegal or illegal mining actions and arrested 22 suspects during the period January to mid-October 2022.

This success was held by the Central Java Police Chief, Inspector General Pol Ahmad Luthfi at a press conference held at the Company 4 apple field Battalion A Pioneer Satbrimobda Central Java in Pati, Thursday, October 13.

In addition to arresting the suspect, the Central Java Police also confiscated 70 pieces of evidence in the form of 26 excavators, 1 loader, 43 trucks and Rp36 million in cash.

"The estimated state losses that occurred reached Rp. 7,222, 028,860," said the Kapolda in a written statement.

"Of the 23 cases most cases revealed there were 5 cases of Ditreskrimsus, 4 cases of Pati Police, 4 cases of Magelang Police and 3 cases of Klaten Police. The other Polres are on average one case. The motive of the perpetrators of illegal mining is to seek personal gain," he added.

The Regional Police Chief said that illegal mining was carried out using a number of modes, including mining not at the permitted coordinates, mining without a permit and carrying out land arrangement but carrying out illegal mining.

"There are also those whose permits are still in the exploration stage but carry out the production operation stage," he said

The perpetrators will be charged under Article 158 and Article 160 of Law No. 3 of 2020 concerning amendments to Law No. 4 of 2009 concerning mineral and coal mining with a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison and a maximum fine of IDR 100 billion.

The Kapolda explained that his party was committed to taking firm action against illegal mining indiscriminately. Each perpetrator will be processed according to applicable regulations. However, it is not enough to eradicate illegal mining in Central Java.

A number of efforts have been made by the Central Java Police, including coordinating with relevant agencies to jointly oversee illegal mining and mining.

In addition, preventive efforts were also carried out by urging the public, especially business actors, to participate by completing all business licenses.

The preservation of the environment, added the Kapolda, has attracted the attention of all parties, including the president and the Indonesian House of Representatives. In the field of law enforcement, the National Police Chief has instructed the ranks to enforce the law in accordance with applicable regulations.

"Environmental conservation is important for future generations. If left unchecked, illegal mining can have an extraordinary impact on environmental damage and threaten the nation's future," he explained.