Police Establish Two Suspects in South Sumatra Illegal Gold Mining Case with Rp1.5 Billion Daily Turnover
The North Sumatra Regional Police (Polda Sumut) have formally designated two individuals as suspects in the investigation of illegal gold mining operations (PETI) in the Batang Gadis River area, on the border between South Tapanuli and Mandailing Natal Regencies. The illegal mining operation is estimated to generate approximately Rp1.5 billion in daily turnover.
Rahmad Budi Handoko, Director of Criminal Investigation at Polda Sumut, stated that this designation follows the detention of 12 individuals during a raid on Monday, 2 March 2026.
The two suspects who have had their status elevated are AB (58), a resident of Lima Puluh Kota Regency in West Sumatra, and AD (46), a resident of Mandailing Natal. Both are known to hold strategic operational roles at the mining site.
“Both have different roles. Suspect AB acts as a heavy equipment (excavator) operator, whilst AD serves as a field mechanics coordinator,” explained Rahmad Budi on Friday, 13 March 2026.
Rahmad emphasised that the investigation will not conclude here. There is considerable potential for additional suspects to be charged as the case develops, particularly targeting those who supply heavy equipment and the principal financiers.
Investigators have scheduled summons for three major excavator leasing companies—PT Hexindo, PT Sany, and PT Zoomlion. This step has been taken to trace administrative records and identify who the intellectual mastermind is behind the leasing of dozens of heavy equipment units.
“These three companies are excavator lessors. They certainly know who leased their equipment,” Rahmad stated firmly. To date, police continue to view the illegal mining activity as involving individual actors; however, investigations into possible corporate involvement are ongoing.
Police confiscated 14 excavator units, generator sets, water suction machines, gold panning equipment, and one fire suppression unit. All evidence is currently secured at the Brimob Battalion C headquarters in Sipirok.
Given that the mining site is located in protected state forest, Polda Sumut plans to present expert witnesses to strengthen the legal framework against the perpetrators.
“We will summon expert witnesses from the Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA), the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK), and the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM),” he concluded.
This case has garnered public attention because the illegal gold mining operation is suspected to have been active for two to three months before being discovered following reports from local residents concerned about the preservation of the Batang Gadis River ecosystem.