Police Destroy 12 Illegal Gold Mining Rafts in Kuantan River Operation
The Kuantan Singingi Police, through the Cerenti Police Sector, have once again taken action against illegal gold mining activities along the Kuantan River. A total of 12 dompeng rafts were destroyed.
The operation was carried out by a joint team from the Cerenti Police, the Indonesian National Armed Forces, and the sub-district government along the Kuantan River in Koto Cerenti Village and Kampung Baru Village, Cerenti District, on Thursday (2/7/2026). The crackdown followed police receipt of public complaints about ongoing illegal mining activities, which are considered to have damaged the environment and disrupted the Kuantan River ecosystem.
Cerenti Police Chief Iptu Peri Padli led the operation alongside several joint personnel. Upon arriving at the riverbank, officers discovered two dompeng rafts in operation in the Koto Cerenti Village area. “All the rafts were immediately destroyed by being dismantled and burned so they cannot be used again,” said Iptu Perdi in a statement.
The operation continued to the Kampung Baru Village area. At the second location, officers found 10 more illegal dompeng rafts. All the rafts at this location were also destroyed on the spot. In total, 12 illegal mining rafts were destroyed in a single day. Officers did not find any perpetrators at the scene; they are believed to have fled before the authorities arrived.
Kuantan Singingi Police Chief AKBP Hidayat Perdana stressed that the enforcement action was a follow-up to public reports and a demonstration of the police’s commitment to preserving the environment. “We follow up on every public report regarding illegal mining activities. Illegal mining not only violates the law but also causes environmental damage, river pollution, and threatens public safety. Therefore, we will continue to carry out these enforcement actions sustainably,” said Hidayat.
He also urged the public to refrain from engaging in illegal mining and to work together to protect the Kuantan River as a source of life for the community. “We invite all elements of society to protect the environment and not be tempted to conduct illegal mining. If you are aware of any illegal mining activity, please report it immediately to the nearest police station or contact the Police Service Call Centre at 110. Synergy between the community and the authorities is key to ensuring the Kuantan River remains sustainable and can be passed on to future generations,” he concluded.