Police Dismantle Illegal Logging Operation in Riau, Secure 10 Timber Rafts
The Riau Regional Police through the Meranti Islands Police District dismantled illegal logging practices in the waters of the Dedap River, Tasik Putri Puyu District. In the operation, police secured ten processed timber rafts that were suspected to be products of illegal felling.
The Chief of the Meranti Islands Police District, AKBP Aldi Alfa Faroqi, stated that the illegal logging practice was uncovered through cyber patrol results from “RADAR” (Riau Peaceful Anti Cyber Crime) of the Riau Regional Police, concerning information about illegal logging in the Dedap River.
“In response to that information, a team from the Criminal Investigation Unit of the Meranti Islands Police District and the Water Police Unit of Meranti Police District and Merbau Police Station conducted a direct check to the coordinate point,” said AKBP Aldi in his statement, Sunday (1 March 2026).
The operation began on Saturday evening around 5:00 PM Western Indonesian Time. The team, led by the Chief of Criminal Investigation, Ipda Ariyadi, moved using a patrol speedboat towards the location at coordinate point N 1.3137°, E 102.3633°. After conducting an intensive sweep for two hours along the densely vegetated river course, officers eventually found a stack of processed timber that had been neatly arranged into 10 large rafts on the riverbank.
“When the team arrived at the location, the area around the timber discovery was quiet. Not a single person was found there or claimed to be the owner of the timber,” he added.
Considering the rather remote location and the approaching darkness, officers immediately conducted an evacuation by pulling all the timber rafts. The pulling process using a patrol speedboat took considerable time due to the cargo load and the water terrain.
All evidence items only arrived and were safely moored at the Bandul Water Police Station Wharf, Merbau District, on Sunday early morning around 2:25 AM Western Indonesian Time.
At present, police are conducting a thorough investigation to uncover the identity of the owner and the origins of the processed timber. From the operation results, the 10 timber rafts were seized as evidence for further investigation.
“The owners are still in the process of pursuit and further investigation,” he said.
AKBP Aldi stated that this success demonstrates effective synergy between cyber patrol technology (the RADAR Team) and quick action by field personnel in preserving forests in the jurisdiction of the Riau Regional Police, particularly in Meranti Islands District. This enforcement action is also an implementation of Green Policing, a programme initiated by the Riau Regional Police Chief, Inspector General Herry Heryawan.