Police Arrest Two Suspects for Illegal Logging in Jembrana Protected Forest
Three trees were felled and two bamboo thickets were burnt within the protected forest area of Berangbang Village, Jembrana, Bali. Police subsequently detained two residents suspected of involvement in the illegal logging activity.
The two individuals, identified by the initials S and L, were apprehended by the Kurawa Team of the Jembrana Police Criminal Investigation Unit, alongside the West Bali KPH, on Thursday (1/10/2026). The arrests were carried out following community reports regarding tree felling and bamboo burning activities within the state forest area.
The Head of the West Bali KPH UPTD, Agus Sugianto, confirmed the handling of the case. He stated that reports from the public were immediately followed up with an inspection of the crime scene on Wednesday (30/9/2026).
“Our initial information was received from the community regarding tree felling and bamboo burning activities in the forest area. We then conducted a direct inspection of the location to verify the reports,” Agus stated when confirmed on Friday (2/10/2026).
From the initial inspection, officers found evidence of three trees being felled and two bamboo thickets being burnt within the HL-100 Utilisation Block of the Protected Forest. The location was confirmed to be outside the Social Forestry (PS) area of Berangbang Village, with the affected area spanning approximately 20 are.
“At the site, we found the felling of three trees and the burning of two bamboo thickets. The affected area is estimated to be around 20 are,” he explained.
Officers from the West Bali KPH and the Jembana Police Criminal Investigation Unit’s Kurawa Team continued their investigation on Thursday (1/10/2026). Through this follow-up, officers detained S and L, along with dozens of felled logs that had been processed into timber blocks, as well as logging equipment.
“From our follow-up investigation, two individuals suspected of illegal logging have been detained. Additionally, we have seized dozens of pieces of evidence consisting of felled timber already processed into blocks,” Agus noted.
In a separate confirmation, the Head of the Jembrana Police Criminal Investigation Unit, AKP I Gede Alit Darmana, confirmed the detention of the two suspects by the Kurawa Team.
“It is true that two individuals have been detained by the Kurawa Team regarding suspected logging in the forest area of the Berangbang region,” said Alit.
“As for the exact amount of evidence, we cannot disclose it yet as the investigation and further development of the case are still ongoing,” Alit concluded.