Police Crack Down on Illegal Gold Mining in Batang Kuantan River, 29 Rafts Destroyed
The Cerenti Police Sector, Kuantan Singingi Police, alongside joint personnel and related agencies, has once again taken action against illegal gold mining (PETI) activities along the flow of the Batang Kuantan River in Cerenti District, Kuantan Singingi Regency. A total of 29 rafts were destroyed.
The enforcement activity was led directly by the Chief of Cerenti Police, IPTU Feri Padli, involving personnel from the Cerenti Police, Kuantan Singende Police, TNI (Indonesian National Armed Forces), Firefighters, BPBD (Regional Disaster Management Agency), as well as elements of the Cerenti District Government, on Monday (14/09/2026).
The Kuantan Singingi Police Chief, AKBP Hidayat Perdana, through the Chief of Cerenti Police Iptu Feri Padli, stated that prior to the enforcement, the police and related agencies had undertaken various preventive and persuasive efforts through socialisation and appeals to the district government, village governments, LAMR, LAN, and the community.
“Socialisation and appeal efforts were carried out previously. Therefore, regarding the PETI activities that were still found, we are conducting enforcement in accordance with the applicable legal provisions,” said Iptu Feri Padli.
The enforcement was carried out by patrolling the Batang Kuantan River using one unit of a Kuantan Singingi Police speed boat. Officers visited several target locations across four villages, namely Sikakak Village, Koto Village, Pulau Jambu Village, and Pulau Bayur Village, in the Cerenti District.
At these locations, officers destroyed the illegal mining rafts by burning them on the spot. Officers also released the anchors of several rafts, allowing them to drift away, and issued warnings to the local community to refrain from engaging in illegal mining activities.
As a result of the operation, officers found and regulated 29 illegal mining rafts, with details including 11 rafts in Sikakak Village, 4 rafts in Koto Village, 13 rafts in Pulau Jambu Village, and 1 raft in Pulau Bayur Village. No perpetrators were detained during the operation, and no physical evidence was brought back to the Cerenti Police Station.
The Chief of Cerenti Police emphasised that the police will continue to take preventive and enforcement measures against illegal mining activities that have the potential to damage the environment and disrupt the ecosystem of the Batang Kuantan River.
“We invite the entire community to work together to protect the environment and refrain from illegal mining activities. We also remind all personnel to prioritise safety while carrying out activities in the field,” he concluded.