Banten Provincial Police Investigate 7 Illegal Mining Cases in Lebak Forest Areas

The Banten Provincial Police have received reports of seven cases of illegal mining in forest areas in Lebak Regency. Four cases involve illegal coal mining in Cihara, within the Perhutani area; and two cases concern illegal gold mining in the Gunung Halimun Salak National Park (TNGHS), Cibeber.

Director of Special Criminal Investigation at Banten Provincial Police, Senior Commissioner Yudhis Wibisana, stated that the seven reports have been handled since January to April 2026. The coal illegal mining cases are still under investigation, while the gold mining cases have progressed to the investigation stage.

“The case status moved from investigation to formal inquiry after a case review. In this case, investigators have designated two suspects, namely SR alias AN, and AD,” said Yudhis on Thursday (9/4/2026).

Meanwhile, police have named one suspect with initials LS alias BOH in the case of selling mercury to managers of illegal mines.

“In addition, one case related to the sale of mercury to illegal gold processors has been declared complete (P21) and handed over to the Public Prosecutor with suspect LS alias BOH,” Yudhis explained.

Based on investigation results, the gold mining activities were conducted in Blok Ciengang, Citorek Barat Village, Cibeber Subdistrict, which falls within the TNGHS area. This is confirmed by field checks of coordinates with TNGHS authority officials.

“From the field verification, the mining location is proven to be inside the national park area, thus suspected of violating forestry and mining regulations,” he clarified.

The suspects are charged under Article 89 paragraph (1) letter a of Law No. 18 of 2013 on the Prevention and Eradication of Forest Destruction, as well as Articles 158 and 161 of Law No. 3 of 2020 on Mineral and Coal Mining.

Currently, investigators are continuing the inquiry process, including witness and expert examinations, seizure of evidence, determination of additional suspects, and case filing.

“We will continue to take firm action against all forms of illegal mining activities that damage the environment, especially in protected forest and national park areas,” Yudhis emphasised.