Police Crack Down on Illegal Gold Mining in Kuansing, 9 Rafts Burned
The Kuantan Hilir Police Sector moved swiftly to respond to public reports of unlicensed gold mining activity (PETI) in two villages. During the operation, police destroyed nine PETI rafts by burning them.
The raid was led by the Kuantan Hilir Police Chief, Inspector Debi Setyawan, on Friday (10/7/2026). It targeted several illegal gold mining sites in Rawang Opung Village and Kasang Limau Sundai Village, Kuantan Hilir Seberang Subdistrict. The operation was carried out jointly by a combined team from the Kuantan Hilir Police Sector, comprising the Public Order Unit (Sabhara), Intelligence, and Community Police Officers (Bhabinkamtibmas).
“When the team conducted thorough checks in the field, officers found a total of nine PETI raft units ready to operate at two different locations, namely in Rawang Opung Village and Kasang Limau Sundai Village,” said Inspector Debi in a statement on Saturday (11/7/2026).
In Rawang Ogung Village, officers found five PETI raft units, while four PETI rafts were discovered in Kasang Limau Sundai Village.
However, when officers arrived at the scene, no perpetrators were found. It is suspected that the miners had simply abandoned the PETI raft equipment.
“As a deterrent and to ensure the illegal activity is not repeated, officers in the field took firm action by destroying and burning all the engines and equipment of the PETI rafts so they cannot be used again,” he explained.
Given that the sites had been abandoned before officers arrived at the scene, no suspects or physical evidence were taken to the police station.
Nevertheless, the raid proceeded smoothly and concluded at 16.50 local time (WIB). The police have pledged to continue monitoring the area for wildcat mining activity in order to preserve the natural environment of Bumi Lancang Kuning.
The Police Chief stressed that this PETI crackdown reflects his unit’s full commitment to environmental conservation, in line with the Green Policing spirit championed by the Riau Regional Police Chief, Inspector General Herry Heryawan.