Riau Police Uncovers Illegal Sawmill in Kampar, Seized Hundreds of Logs from Illegal Logging     

The Riau Regional Police Special Criminal Investigation Directorate has again uncovered alleged forestry crimes by dismantling illegal wood mills (sawmills) in Sungai Sarik Village, Kampar Kiri District, Kampar Regency.

PEKANBARU - The Special Criminal Investigation Directorate of the Riau Police has again uncovered alleged forestry crimes by dismantling illegal wood mills (sawmills) in Sungai Sarik Village, Kampar Kiri District, Kampar Regency.

In the disclosure, investigators named a suspect and seized hundreds of processed wood logs along with a number of equipment used to process forest wood.

Director of Special Criminal Investigation of the Riau Police, Kombes Ade Kuncoro, explained that the disclosure began with information from the public regarding the processing of wood that was suspected to come from forest resources without valid documents.

Following up on this information, the Riau Police Sub-Directorate IV Tipidter Ditreskrimsus team, supported by personnel from the Riau Police Satbrimob, conducted an investigation and on Friday, July 10, at around 16.00 WIB, visited the sawmill location in Sungai Sarik Village.

"During the inspection, officers found that wood processing activities were underway. However, the workers were unable to show a Certificate of Legal Wood (SKSHH) or other documents proving the legality of the origin of the processed wood," he said, Thursday, July 16.

Furthermore, all workers and evidence were secured for the purpose of investigation.

Ade emphasized that the disclosure was part of the Riau Regional Police's commitment to eradicating illegal logging practices, which are still a threat to forest sustainability in the Riau Province.

Ade said illegal logging did not stop at illegal logging activities. Illegal sawmills are an important link because they are places to process the results of crimes before being marketed.

"Therefore, law enforcement must be carried out thoroughly, starting from the perpetrators in the field, business owners, financiers to those who benefit from the activity," said Ade.

According to him, investigators will not stop at the designation of one suspect, but will continue to develop to uncover the entire network involved.

"We will develop this case until all parties responsible can be held legally accountable. There must be no room for perpetrators of forestry crimes that damage the ecosystem and threaten the sustainability of forests in Riau," he said.

The Riau Regional Police Special Criminal Investigation Directorate has again uncovered alleged forestry crimes by dismantling illegal wood mills (sawmills) in Sungai Sarik Village, Kampar Kiri District, Kampar Regency.

This step is in line with the direction of the Riau Police Chief Inspector General Herry Heryawan through the Green Policing Program, which is a police approach that integrates law enforcement with environmental protection.

According to him, maintaining forest sustainability is not only the responsibility of the government, but requires collaboration from all elements of society.

Green Policing is not only about law enforcement, but how law enforcement can present a deterrent effect while building awareness that the forest must be maintained as a buffer for life.

"Therefore, we invite the public to continue to play an active role in providing information if they know about illegal logging practices or other environmental crimes," said Ade.

Meanwhile, the Head of Sub-Directorate IV Tipidter of the Riau Police's Criminal Investigation Unit, AKBP Teddy Ardian, said that from the results of the investigation, investigators had named D.A.S. (28) as a suspect who played the role of foreman or supervisor of the sawmill.

"The results of the examination showed that the suspect was in charge of overseeing the wood processing activities at the location. Meanwhile, for the sawmill owner who is known to have the initials L.F.W. we are still investigating his involvement and is currently part of the development of the investigation," said Teddy.

He explained that from the location of the incident, investigators secured around 780 processed wood logs, 14 logs, four scarf saws, one sharpening machine, one chainsaw, one robin machine, two gas cylinders, two batteries, two jerrycans containing solar, as well as various other equipment used in wood processing activities.

According to Teddy, all the evidence has been secured for the purpose of proving the case in court, while investigators continue to trace the origin of the wood and the parties involved in the network.

"Regarding the suspect, we suspect Article 83 paragraph (1) letter b in conjunction with Article 12 letter e of Law Number 18 of 2013 concerning the Prevention and Eradication of Forest Destruction as amended by Law Number 6 of 2023. The threat of imprisonment is a minimum of one year and a maximum of five years and a fine of at least Rp. 500 million and a maximum of Rp. 2.5 billion," said Teddy.