Riau Police Dismantle Illegal Sawmill in Kampar, Hundreds of Illegally Logged Timbers Seized

Riau Regional Police have again uncovered a forestry crime case by dismantling an illegal sawmill operation in Sungai Sarik Village, Kampar Kiri District, Kampar Regency. Hundreds of logs suspected to be the result of illegal logging were seized at the location. The case came to light following public information regarding wood processing activities suspected of using forest products without valid documentation. Following up on the information, the Riau Police Special Criminal Investigation Directorate deployed a team supported by Mobile Brigade personnel to conduct an investigation. The joint team raided the sawmill on Friday (10/7) at around 16.00 WIB. Upon inspection, workers could not show official documents proving the origin of the wood being processed. “During the inspection, officers found wood processing activities underway. However, the workers could not present a Certificate of Legal Forest Product Origin or other documents proving the legality of the wood’s source,” said Riau Police Special Criminal Investigation Director Senior Commissioner Ade Kuncoro Ridwan on Friday (17/7/2026). All workers and evidence were subsequently secured for investigation purposes. In the disclosure, investigators named one suspect and seized hundreds of processed logs along with equipment used to process forest timber. Senior Commissioner Ade Kuncoro stressed that the disclosure is part of the Riau Police’s commitment to eradicating illegal logging practices, which remain a threat to forest sustainability in Riau Province. He stated that illegal logging is not limited to wild forest felling activities. “Illegal sawmills are also a crucial link in the chain as they process timber from criminal activities before it is marketed. Therefore, law enforcement must be carried out comprehensively, from field perpetrators, business owners, and financiers to parties who profit from these activities,” Ade Kuncoro asserted. Police will continue to develop the case. The investigation will not stop at one suspect, as police also affirmed they will uncover the entire network involved. “We will develop this case until all responsible parties can be held legally accountable. There must be no room for forestry crime perpetrators who damage the ecosystem and threaten the sustainability of forests in Riau,” he added. The move aligns with the directive of Riau Police Chief Inspector General Herry Heryawan through the Green Policing programme, a policing approach that integrates law enforcement with environmental protection. According to him, preserving forests is not solely the government’s responsibility but requires collaboration from all elements of society. Green Policing is not just about enforcement, but about how law enforcement can create a deterrent effect while building collective awareness that forests must be protected as life support systems. “Therefore, we invite the public to continue playing an active role by providing information if they become aware of illegal logging practices or other environmental crimes,” said Ade. Meanwhile, investigators have named DAS (28) as a suspect, who acted as the foreman or supervisor of the sawmill. “The investigation results show the suspect was tasked with supervising wood processing activities at the site. As for the sawmill owner, known by the initials LFW, we are still investigating their involvement, and this is currently part of the ongoing investigation,” said the head of the unit. He explained that from the scene, investigators secured approximately 780 pieces of processed wood, 14 logs, four portable sawmills, one saw sharpening machine, one chainsaw, one diesel engine, two gas cylinders, two batteries, two jerry cans containing diesel fuel, and various other tools used in wood processing activities. All evidence has been secured for evidentiary purposes in court, while investigators continue to trace the origin of the wood and the parties involved in the network. “The suspect is charged under Article 83 paragraph (1) letter b in conjunction with Article 12 letter e of Law Number 18 of 2013 concerning the Prevention and Eradication of Forest Destruction, as amended by Law Number 6 of 2023. The criminal penalty is a minimum imprisonment of one year and a maximum of five years, and a fine of at least Rp500 million and at most Rp2.5 billion,” he concluded.