Police Destroy 12 Illegal Gold Mining Rafts in Riau's Kuansing

The Cerenti Police, supported by military personnel and local government officials, took decisive action against illegal gold mining (PETI) in Kuantan Singingi Regency, Riau. A joint team destroyed 12 illegal mining rafts by setting them ablaze on Thursday (2/7). Cerenti Police Chief, First Inspector Peri Padli, stated that the repressive measure aims to serve as a deterrent, as the activity not only violates the law but has also caused massive environmental damage. ‘We are following up on every public report regarding PETI activities. Illegal mining not only causes environmental destruction and river pollution but also threatens public safety. This enforcement will be carried out continuously,’ he explained in Pekanbaru on Friday (3/7). The operation involved sweeping areas suspected of being illegal mining hubs. The team, using two cars and three motorcycles, navigated challenging terrain along the riverbanks to reach the reported coordinates. The first target was the Kuantan River area in Koto Cerenti Village, where officers found and destroyed two active suction dredge rafts. The sweep continued downstream to Kampung Baru Village, where ten more rafts were located and burned. Despite the successful destruction of the equipment, no miners or financiers were apprehended. The suspects reportedly detected the approaching officers and escaped into the surrounding forest. ‘This tactic of fleeing is a classic pattern used by illegal miners when facing large-scale operations,’ Peri Padli concluded. The crackdown on PETI in Kuantan Singingi has been intensified following a surge in reports of river water pollution, which serves as a vital resource for local residents.