Police Arrest Four Suspects in Illegal Gold Mining at Mount Pongkor, Earning Rp9 Billion Per Month

The Directorate of Special Criminal Investigation (Ditreskrimsus) of the West Java Regional Police has uncovered a criminal case of unlicensed (illegal) mining in the Mount Pongkor area, Bogor Regency. In this revelation, police secured four suspects allegedly involved in mining, processing, and selling gold without official permits.

The illegal mining case occurred in two areas, namely Nanggung Sub-district and Leuwiliang Sub-district. After a series of investigations, officers successfully arrested four suspects with initials M, E.M, M.N.L, and H.M.A. All of them are known to be self-employed and also sell gold in Leuwiliang Market.

Based on investigation results, the perpetrators are suspected of having conducted this illegal activity since 2005 until now. They processed and refined soil and rocks containing gold and other mineral metals without mining business permits.

The Director of Special Criminal Investigation (Dirkrimsus) of the West Java Police, Commissioner Pol. Wirdhanto Hadicaksono, stated that the modus operandi used was supplying and trading processed soil or rocks containing gold.

“The selling price is determined based on the gold content, with the highest purity reaching 24 carat or pure gold sold at around Rp2.5 million per gram; estimated monthly, it can reach Rp9 billion,” he said on Thursday, 30 April 2026.

In uncovering this case, Dirkrimsus said his members also secured several pieces of evidence, including sacks of mud residue from gold processing, two mobile phones, 7.2 grams of gold, 88 grams of refined silver, weighing scales. “As well as various processing equipment and chemicals,” he added.

Commissioner Pol. Wirdhanto Hadicaksono conveyed that the suspects will be charged under articles related to unlicensed mining. “The suspects are charged under the unlicensed mining article with a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to Rp100 billion,” he stated.

The West Java Regional Police emphasised that it will continue to take action against illegal mining activities that harm the state and have the potential to damage the environment.