KETAPANG - The Ministry of Forestry (Kemenhut) thwarted the circulation of around 600 illegal logs in the waters of the Pawan-Ketapang River, Ketapang Regency, West Kalimantan, in a law enforcement operation held in the early hours.
Head of the Kalimantan Regional Forestry Gakkum Office Leonardo Gultom said the action was taken on Saturday around 01.00 WIB after the team received a report from the community regarding the illegal transportation of logs from the upstream of the Pawan River.
"The team moved quickly and found a wooden raft containing approximately 600 logs of mixed jungle type and two water klotok units that were docking at the wood processing industry location," said Leonardo in a written statement confirmed in Jakarta, Antara, Monday, January 19.
The wooden raft was secured while resting across the wood processing industry located in Negeri Baru Village, Benua Kayong District. From the initial examination, all the wood was not equipped with documents such as the Certificate of Validity of Forest Products Transport (SKSHHK) and other permits.
During the operation, officers secured five people at the scene for further questioning. The investigation was carried out to uncover the role of each perpetrator, including the possibility of intellectual actors and a network of financiers behind the illegal logging practice.
In addition to wood evidence and means of transport, the Gakkum officers of the Ministry of Manpower and Transmigration also secured the location of the wood processing industry which is suspected to be the destination for the receipt of illegal raw materials for further investigation.
The perpetrators are threatened with a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum fine of Rp. 2.5 billion in accordance with the provisions of laws and regulations in the field of forestry.
"We will continue to develop this case to trace the main beneficiaries or beneficial owners. We will also delve into the involvement of the hosting industry," said Leonardo.
Director General of Law Enforcement of the Ministry of Finance Dwi Januanto Nugroho emphasized that the operation was part of the government's commitment to eradicating environmental crime.
"This action is aimed at slowing down the rate of deforestation, environmental damage, and state losses due to illegal logging, especially in the West Kalimantan region," said Dwi.
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