Riau Police Arrest Illegal Gold Miner Also Dealing Methamphetamine

Direktorat Reserse Narkoba Polda Riau has arrested an illegal gold miner, identified by the initials YP (33), for allegedly dealing methamphetamine in Kuantan Singingi Regency. Police seized 36.94 grammes of crystal methamphetamine during the operation.

Riau Police Narcotics Director Senior Commissioner Putu Yudha Prawira stated the case came to light following a public tip-off about drug trafficking in the area. The information was followed up by Sub-Directorate II of the Riau Police Narcotics Directorate.

The investigation led officers to arrest the suspect on Saturday evening while he was weighing methamphetamine in a room at a house in Muara Lembu Village, Singingi District.

‘Our officers found the suspect weighing methamphetamine and secured evidence with a total gross weight of 36.94 grammes, along with digital scales, a mobile phone and cash from transactions,’ Senior Commissioner Putu said in a statement on Tuesday.

YP is known to work daily as an illegal gold miner in the Kuansing region. However, the suspect also ran a side business as a methamphetamine dealer, targeting the general public and fellow illegal miners in the Muara Lembu area.

The suspect confessed to running the illicit business for approximately five months. He worked with a supplier identified by the initial S, also known as Escobra, who remains under investigation.

According to the suspect’s confession, the methamphetamine was sourced from a network that obtained the goods from Medan before they were handed over through direct meetings in the Kuansing area. Sales proceeds were then remitted to the supplier via bank transfer.

‘The suspect admitted to earning a profit of around Rp200,000 to Rp300,000 per day from selling methamphetamine. The profits were used to buy and consume narcotics,’ he said.

Riau Police are still pursuing two other individuals believed to be linked to the network, identified as S and a man with the initials SBR, and are investigating the distribution flow and communication methods used by the suspect in running the narcotics operation.

‘As a result of his actions, the suspect is being processed in accordance with the provisions of Law Number 35 of 2009 concerning Narcotics,’ Senior Commissioner Putu concluded.