12 Perpetrators Involved In Illegal Gold Mines Were Arrested By The Aceh Police, Excavators And Restrictions Also Confiscated

Documentation - Police raided illegal gold mines in West Aceh Regency. (ANTARA/HO/Bidhumas Polda Aceh)

The Directorate of Special Criminal Investigation (Ditreskrimsus) of the Aceh Police arrested 12 suspected perpetrators of illegal gold mining and confiscated two heavy excavators. Dirreskrimsus Polda Aceh Kombes Sony Aceya said the arrest of the perpetrators of illegal mining was carried out in two places, namely Nagan Raya Regency and Aceh Besar District. "The arrest of the perpetrators of illegal gold mining was carried out in a raid on Wednesday. Currently, the perpetrators are being held at the Nagan Raya Police and the West Aceh Police," said Sony Aceya in Banda Aceh, Antara, Thursday, November 10. The raid was carried out based on public information. The public reported concerns about gold mining without a permit that damaged the environment. Sony Aceya said the illegal gold mines that were raided included Blang Neuang Village, Beutong District, Nagan Raya Regency. The raid involved Unit III Tipidter and Unit V Opsnal Satreskrim Nagan Raya Police. At the gold mine site, said Sony Aceya, officers arrested six suspects, namely ZD (34), JH (22), UB (22), SB (36), JM (28), and MB (31). "In addition, the officers also confiscated evidence in the form of a unit of heavy excavator brand, two gold pawnshops, and three gold filter sheets," said Sony Aceya. Then, gold mines in Leubok Beutong Village, Sungai Mas District, West Aceh Regency. The raids were carried out by Unit IV Tipidter and Unit V Jatanras Satreskrim West Aceh Police. At that location, officers arrested six miners, namely MH (50), HD (25), HR (37), SK (30), SY (24), and AR (20). As well as confiscating evidence in the form of a heavy excavator unit. "The evidence confiscated was in the form of two gold collectors, three gold filter sheets, two plastics containing dirty gold, and 500 liter diesel oil," said Sony Aceya. Sony Aceya emphasized that the raid on illegal gold mines was a commitment of the Aceh Police to take action against mining actors without a permit. Moreover, illegal mining, both gold and others, has mushroomed. In addition, it also disturbs the community. Illegal mining is also among the causes of natural disasters such as floods that are currently hitting a number of areas in Aceh Province. "We remind illegal miners who have not been caught to immediately stop these unlawful activities. Because, they must be taken action because their actions are troubling the community," said Sony Aceya.