Large-scale Operation on Kuantan River: Police and Military Destroy 145 Illegal Mining Rafts
A large-scale enforcement operation was carried out in two districts, namely Cerenti and Inuman, in the Kuantan Singingi Regency, on Tuesday (2/6/2026). The operation was led by the Kuansing Police Chief, AKBP Hidayat Perdana, alongside 260 personnel from the Kuansing Police, TNI (Indonesian National Armed Forces), Satpol PP, BPBD, Fire Department, and local government agencies.
Utilising four speedboats, the joint personnel swept along the Batang Kuantan River in the Inuman and Cerenti districts. During the sweep, officers discovered hundreds of illegal mining (PETI) raft tools along the river in Pulau Busuk, Pulau Panjang, and Ketaping Jaya villages in the Inuman district, as well as Tanjung Medan, Sikakak, and Pulau Bayur villages in the Cerenti district.
In the Cerenti district, officers destroyed 102 illegal mining rafts, while in the Inuman district, the joint force destroyed 43 rafts.
The Kuansing Police Chief stated that this enforcement activity is a shared commitment to tackling illegal mining activities that continue to occur within the Kuantan Singingi Regency.
“This activity is a joint operation demonstrating our seriousness in preserving the environment and enforcing the law against unauthorised mining activities,” said AKBP Hidayat.
Previously, various preventive and persuasive efforts had been implemented, ranging from socialisation to appeals directed at the community and relevant stakeholders.
“During the enforcement action, no perpetrators were found. However, we destroyed 145 illegal mining rafts to serve as a deterrent,” he added.
Officers conducted the enforcement using a humanistic approach, and the activity proceeded in a safe and orderly manner. AKBP Hidayat expressed hope that the crackdown would act as a deterrent to illegal miners and increase public awareness regarding the importance of environmental preservation and compliance with the law. He also urged the community to refrain from engaging in illegal mining.