Mangrove Destroyers and Illegal Charcoal Producers in Riau to Face Trial Soon
The investigation into the destruction of mangrove forests and illegal charcoal production in the Kepulauan Meranti Regency, Riau Province, has been completed. Three suspects charged in the case will soon stand trial.
Today, investigators from the Riau Police Special Criminal Investigation Directorate (Ditreskrimsus) carried out the phase two handover of the suspects and evidence to the Kepulauan Meranti District Prosecutor’s Office (Kejari). The phase two handover follows the case file being declared complete (P-21).
The Director of Special Criminal Investigation at the Riau Police, Senior Commissioner Ade Kuncoro, stated that this phase two handover is a follow-up to the investigation process conducted since the illegal mangrove charcoal production activity in the Kepulauan Meranti region was uncovered.
“With the implementation of phase two, the investigation process is declared complete and the case subsequently falls under the authority of the Public Prosecutor for the trial process,” said Senior Commissioner Ade Kuncoro in his statement on Wednesday (17/6/2026).
The three transferred suspects are identified by the initials B alias CC and M alias AW, who acted as the owners or financiers of the illegal charcoal kilns, and SA, who acted as the captain of the vessel transporting mangrove charcoal from the felled mangroves. The three suspects will now undergo prosecution and trial in court.
The case was uncovered following public reports regarding the transportation of mangrove charcoal without official documents in the coastal area of Kepulauan Meranti. Following up on this information, Team Unit 4 of Sub-Directorate IV Tipidter of the Riau Police Ditreskrimsus conducted an investigation and discovered the vessel KM Aldan 2 loading mangrove charcoal at one of the illegal charcoal kilns in Sesap Village, West Tebing Tinggi District.
From this initial discovery, investigators then developed the case and found two other illegal charcoal kiln locations in Sesap Village and Sokop Village, Rangsang Pesisir District. During the operation, investigators seized approximately 2,800 sacks of mangrove charcoal with an estimated weight of more than 100 tonnes, as well as dozens of cubic metres of mangrove wood suspected to originate from illegal logging activities.
Based on the investigation results, the illegal practice had been ongoing for approximately two to three years. The illegally produced mangrove charcoal was allegedly marketed to various regions and abroad, including to Batu Pahat, Malaysia.
For their actions, the suspects are charged under provisions of the Forestry Law and the Law on the Prevention and Eradication of Forest Destruction, which carry a maximum prison sentence of 10 years and a fine of up to Rp 5 billion.
Riau Police Chief, Inspector General Herry Heryawan, previously emphasised that the crackdown on mangrove destruction is part of the implementation of Green Policing, a policing approach that places environmental protection as an integral part of efforts to safeguard public safety and the sustainability of natural resources.
“Protecting mangroves means protecting the future of the coast. No economic profit should be obtained by sacrificing environmental sustainability,” asserted Inspector General Herry.
The Riau Police affirmed its commitment to continue enforcing the law against environmental crimes and to develop the investigation if the involvement of other parties in the distribution or trade network of mangrove destruction products is discovered.
This law enforcement is expected to provide a deterrent effect to environmental crime perpetrators while maintaining the sustainability of the mangrove ecosystem, which has a vital function as a protector of coastal areas, a carbon sink, a habitat for various biota, and a support for community livelihoods.