Aceh Police Set 4 Suspected Gold Sellers Inappropriate Level

BANDA ACEH - Investigators from the Special Criminal Investigation Directorate (Ditreskrimsus) of the Aceh Regional Police have named four suspects for alleged illegal gold sales.

Head of Public Relations of the Aceh Police, Kombes Winardy, said the suspects had the initials JP, S, D, and H.

"The suspects are suspected of selling gold that does not match the carat. The suspects are selling gold in their respective shops in the Aceh Market area, Kampung Baru, Banda Aceh City," said Kombes Winardy, quoted by Antara, Friday, July 23.

In addition to naming the four suspects, said Winardy, investigators also confiscated evidence of gold jewelery from the shops of the suspects.

The evidence that was secured was from Store L in the form of a gold hand chain weighing 5.5 grams, and from Store H in the form of a gold necklace chain weighing 6.6 grams.

Then, from Store B with evidence in the form of two gold necklaces weighing 10 grams, and from Store A in the form of necklaces weighing 10 grams and necklaces weighing six grams.

"Investigators have also examined 16 witnesses from the four gold shops. Shop L witnesses four, Toko H witnesses three, Shop B witnesses three, and Shop A witnesses six people," said Kombes Winardy.

He said that the investigation into the alleged illegal sale of gold started from public information. Then, the personnel of the Special Criminal Investigation Directorate of the Aceh Police investigated it.

After being investigated, said Winardy, it was found that a number of shops were suspected of deliberately trading in pure gold that did not match the grade. The gold content is thought to have been reduced.

This allegation was proven by the results of the Laboratory of the Center for Batik Crafts in Yogyakarta. The results of the laboratory examination revealed that the gold content did not match what was stated in the surah, said Winardy as well.

The perpetrator was charged with Article 62 in conjunction with Article 8 letter f of the Law of the Republic of Indonesia Number 8 of 1999 concerning Consumer Protection.

"The punishment is a maximum of five years in prison or a maximum fine of Rp. 2 billion. Investigators will immediately determine the suspect," said Kombes Winardy.