Economically Urgent, 2 Magelang Residents Desperate To Steal Perhutani Cinnamon On The Slope Of Mount Sumbing

Police show evidence of cinnamon theft on Perhutani land (Photo: ANTARA)

TEMANGGUNG - The Temanggung Resort Police, Central Java (Central Java) arrested two people on suspicion of stealing cinnamon on forest land belonging to Perhutani in Lerang Mount Sumbing, Jetis Village, Selopampang, Temanggung Regency.

The Temanggung Police Chief AKBP Burhanuddin said the two suspects had the initials TM (37) a resident of Windusari, Magelang Regency and NA (20) a resident of Bandongan, Magelang Regency.

"It happened on Sunday, August 11, at around 11.00 WIB to 17.30 WIB," said Burhanuddin in Temanggung, Antara, Friday, August 20.

The two perpetrators carried out tree bark activities (cinnamon) without the permission of the authorities (Perhutani). The suspect's actions were known by the residents, then when they were going home they were stopped by the residents.

After hearing the confessions of the two people, the residents then reported the incident to Perhutani officers and the Fire Sector Police.

Based on the suspect's statement, said Burhanuddin, cinnamon was sold at a price of Rp. 25,000 per kilogram.

The police confiscated a number of evidences, including a paring knife, two sacks filled with cinnamon, and two motorbikes used by the suspect.

The suspect was charged with Article 36 of the 19th, Article 78 in conjunction with Article 50 Paragraph (2) Letter c of Law Number 11 of 2020 concerning Job Creation which amended several provisions in Law Number 41 of 1999 concerning Forestry with a maximum sentence of imprisonment. 5 years and a maximum fine of IDR 3.5 billion.

The suspect TM admitted that he was forced to commit the crime because of economic necessity. He admitted that he had stolen cinnamon on Perhutani's land twice.

"I sell the cinnamon to people in need," he said.