Illegal Gold Mining Operation Uncovered in Lampung; State Loses Rp1.3 Trillion

Lampung Regional Police, through the Special Criminal Investigation Directorate (Ditreskrimsus), have successfully uncovered an illegal gold mining operation in Way Kanan district, Lampung, on Tuesday, 10 March 2026.

In the enforcement action, police secured 24 individuals, with 14 designated as suspects. The case disclosure was presented directly by Lampung Regional Police Chief Inspector General Helfi Assegaf, accompanied by TNI Brigadier General Andrian Susanto, Lampung Deputy Police Chief Brigadier General Sumarto, and Colonel David Medion during a press conference at Lampung Police Headquarters.

“During the enforcement operation conducted by Ditreskrimsus Polda Lampung on Sunday, 8 March 2026, we successfully secured 24 people from an illegal gold mining site located on PTPN I Regional 7 plantation land in Way Kanan district. Based on our examination, 14 individuals have been designated as suspects, whilst the remaining 10 are still classified as witnesses and are undergoing further investigation,” stated the Regional Police Chief.

Enforcement actions were carried out at seven locations within Blambangan Umpu sub-district, situated within the Business Use Rights area (HGU) of PTPN VII plantation, including areas along the Trans-Sumatra Highway at Sungai Betih, Lembasung Village, the Martapura Trans-Sumatra Highway at kilometre markers 6 and 9 in Blambangan Umpu, and several points along the Sungai Betih river.

During the operation, officers also seized heavy equipment and mining apparatus used for the illegal mining activities. Overall, the estimated state losses resulting from the illegal mining practice are calculated to exceed Rp1.3 trillion.