Police Unload Illegal Sand Mines In Batam

The Riau Islands Police dismantled illegal sand mining activities on Galang Island, Batam City. Two suspects with the initials R (35 years old) and MS (27 years old) were arrested.

BATAM -  Riau Islands Police dismantled illegal sand mining activities on Galang Island, Batam City. Two suspects with the initials R (35 years) and MS (27 years) were arrested.

"Officially, this sand mine does not exist, or is illegal, and in terms of land still belongs to BP Batam. This means that there is no certificate from the sand mine manager," said the Director of Special Criminal Investigation (Dirkrimsus) of the Riau Islands Police, Kombes Nasriadi, as reported by ANTARA, Wednesday, July 12.

The two suspects who were arrested on Tuesday (11/7) were local residents. They each act as managers and operators of illegal sand mines.

From the results of the confessions and investigations of the two suspects, this activity has started operating since early July 2023.

This activity was used by the two suspects to reap more benefits from sand mining activities by selling them outside the area.

From this activity, he said, the two suspects could get a profit of Rp2,250,000 from each proceeds from sand sales.

"From this advantage, of course, we can do more than the results of the confiscated evidence and we are still investigating," he said.

For their actions, the two suspects were charged with Article 158 of the Criminal Code concerning the crime of mineral and coal mining, with a penalty of 5 years in prison and a fine of IDR 5 billion.