North Sumatra Police Arrest 7 Palm Oil Thieves Lose Rp1.2 Billion To The State

Head of Sub-Division of Penmas Polda North Sumatra AKBP Sonny Wilfrid Siregar gave a statement in Medan, North Sumatra, Friday (25/10/2024). (ANTARA/HO-North Sumatra Police Public Relations Division)

The North Sumatra Regional Police arrested seven suspects suspected of stealing palm fruit on PTPN IV Regional II KSO PTPN IV Kwala Sawit land in Banjaran Raya Village, Langkat Regency, which cost the state around Rp. 1,296,000,000.

"The seven suspects are men with the initials S, MP, ME, SS, B, AP, and IN who are networks by systematically committing theft," said Head of Sub-Division of Penmas Polda North Sumatra AKBP Sonny Wilfrid Siregar as reported by ANTARA, Friday, October 25.

Sonny said the modus operandi of the suspects was to steal palm fruit on land owned by PTPN which is a collector obtained from prison or theft at that place.

From the results of the interrogation of the suspects of this illegal activity, one to three tons of palm oil theft per day from PTPN IV Regional II land at KSO PTPN IV Kwala Sawit which includes Afdeling 5, 6, and 7 in Banjaran Raya Village, Langkat Regency, North Sumatra.

The arrests began when witnesses saw and recorded the suspects citing palm fruit at the location, and reported it to the authorities.

From the results of the report, the Ditreskrimsus and the North Sumatra Police Mobile Brigade Unit arrested the suspects along with the evidence on Monday (14/10).

"Meanwhile, the initials SR has been designated as a wanted list (DPO), while a suspected minor with the initials DP undergoes a diversion process," said Sonny.

Based on calculations after fact returned by PTPN, the value of state losses ranged from Rp1,296,000,000.

The suspects were charged with Article 107 of Law No. 39 of 2014 concerning Plantation and Article 363 of the Criminal Code for perpetrators of theft.

Then the other suspects were charged with Article 111 of Law No. 39 of 2014 and Article 480 of the Criminal Code for those involved in the collector.