Plastic Waste Treatment Employees Allegedly Contaminated Cisadane River, Police Conduct Investigation

Tangsel's Cisadane River turns red because it is polluted with plastic waste/ Photo: IST

TANGSEL – The South Tangerang Police (Tangsel) is investigating two people related to the red Cisadane River pollution case. Both are known to be workers in the processing of plastic waste in Serpong, South Tangerang City. It is suspected that the red liquid flowing into the river is hazardous plastic waste.

As explained by the Head of Criminal Investigation Unit of the South Tangerang Police, AKP Angga Surya Saputra, his party has taken plastic samples and Cisadane River water to be tested in the laboratory.

"We are conducting an investigation, we will ask several people for information," AKP Angga told reporters, Monday, September 4.

"We take some samples, both washed waste and river water samples, and we will take the plastic containing the mixture of the pollution source to the lab. The results will be further informed," continued Angga.

Komarudin, the owner of the plastic waste treatment plant, said that his party admitted that they had disposed of the former waste into the Cisadane River. He admitted that he was fooled because his workers dumped the dye from the washed plastic into the Cisadane River.

"It was a mistake to wash it. But we have proven it and have tried it, (the red color) is food coloring," said Komarudin, Monday, October 4.

Komarudin explained that he had been managing the waste for 6 months. His business only washes plastic waste. If it is clean, it will be sold again to plastic processors.

"It's only been six months of operation. Yes, it was wrong, until it was like this, yes, we were wrong. But this is the first time and we missed it," explained Komar.

Previously, a viral video of the pollution of the Cisadane River was recorded by residents who were busy fishing there.