Covert Operation in Kuansing: Police Destroy Six Illegal Gold Mining Rafts
A joint team from the Criminal Investigation Unit (Sat Reskrim) of Kuantan Singingi Police and the regency’s Civil Service Police Unit (Satpol PP) has taken firm action against unlicensed gold mining activities (known locally as PETI). The operation targeted illegal mining that had encroached upon local government-owned plantation land in Jatake Village, Kuantan Tengah District.
The covert operation was carried out on Tuesday (17 February) at approximately 7.30pm local time, led directly by the Operational Unit Chief of Kuansing Police’s Criminal Investigation Unit, Inspector Adjutant Lukman, S.H., involving personnel from the Operational Unit, the Environmental and Natural Resources Crime Unit, and six Satpol PP officers.
Kuantan Singingi Police Chief Senior Commissioner Hidayat Perdana said the operation was launched after authorities received tip-offs from the public regarding illegal gold mining activity. However, when officers arrived at the location, no perpetrators were found on site.
“At the location, we discovered six raft units — single-frame rigs used for illegal gold mining,” Hidayat said in a statement on Thursday (19 February 2026).
Although no workers were found during the raid, officers nonetheless took repressive action. Police subsequently destroyed the six rafts by setting them alight.
“As a preventive measure to ensure the equipment cannot be reused, the joint personnel immediately carried out the destruction and burning of all rafts on site,” he added.
The burning of the illegal mining rafts follows standard operational procedure to ensure that unlicensed mining infrastructure is rendered completely inoperable. The operation also serves as a stern warning to illegal miners who frequently exploit plantation areas and forests to conduct their activities covertly.
Although no suspects were apprehended in this particular operation, police affirmed they would continue intensive monitoring of locations prone to illegal mining activity within the Kuansing Police jurisdiction.
“This operation is a manifestation of the synergy between the Indonesian National Police and the regional government in safeguarding state assets and preserving the environment from damage caused by unlicensed mining activities,” he concluded.
The enforcement operation concluded at 9.00pm local time in safe and orderly conditions. Kuansing Police also urged the public to play an active role in reporting any illegal mining activities in their surroundings to help preserve the natural environment of Kuantan Singingi Regency.