Illegal Gold Mines on Kuantan River Raided, 31 Rafts Destroyed

The Kuantan Singingi Police, through the Cerenti Police Sector, have once again conducted a crackdown on illegal gold mining activities (PETI) along the Kuantan River. A total of 31 PETI rafts were destroyed by burning. Kuantan Singingi Police Chief AKBP Hidayat Perdana asserted that this enforcement is part of the Indonesian National Police’s commitment to preserving the environment and taking action against illegal mining activities that harm the community. ‘We will continue to conduct patrols and sustainable enforcement against PETI activities within the jurisdiction of the Cerenti Police Sector. This activity aims to protect the environment, maintain the quality of the Kuantan River flow, and create a safe and conducive security situation,’ said IPTU Feri Padli. He also urged the public not to engage in unlicensed mining activities and to support government and police efforts in environmental conservation. With this enforcement, it is hoped that PETI activities in the Cerenti District area will continue to decrease, thereby preventing environmental damage and potential security disturbances. The operation was led directly by Cerenti Police Chief Iptu Feri Padli in the villages of Desa Sikakak and Desa Pulau Jambu, Cerenti District, on Tuesday (9/6). This action was taken after police received information regarding the resurgence of PETI activities along the Kuantan River that were polluting the environment. The Cerenti Police Sector subsequently conducted patrols and found ongoing PETI activities on the Kuantan River stream. Arriving at the location around 10.00 WIB, officers discovered dozens of ‘setingkai’ and ‘dompeng’ type rafts used to search for gold. During the operation, 30 ‘setingkai’ type rafts and one ‘dompeng’ type raft were destroyed by being damaged and burned, rendering them unusable. No perpetrators were apprehended during the activity, as they fled the location upon learning of the officers’ arrival. No evidence was seized either, as all the facilities found were immediately destroyed on site.