West Papua Police Hunt Financier of Illegal Gold Mine in Manokwari

West Papua Regional Police are hunting for a man known as F alias Fajar, who is suspected of being the financier behind an illegal gold mining operation in the Wasirawi River area, Masni District, Manokwari Regency. Director of Special Criminal Investigation for the West Papua Regional Police, Commissioner Darma Suwandito, stated in Manokwari on Friday that investigations are ongoing following the arrest of six individuals and the seizure of six excavators from the site. “We will continue to develop the case to locate F alias Fajar, who is believed to be the party behind this illegal mining activity,” he said.

Commissioner Darma explained that a joint task force conducted the operation at the illegal mining site over three days, from Tuesday (14/7) to Thursday (16/7). Upon arrival, officers monitored two active worker camps. On Wednesday (15/7) at around 5:35 p.m. local time, officers secured six workers, including a supervisor, and confiscated two excavators. A subsequent sweep of the area uncovered four more excavators that had apparently been hidden, bringing the total number of seized heavy machinery units to six.

Police also confiscated 28.2 grams of gold, three bottles of mercury, two mixing tools, three scales, a water pump machine, hoses, a blowtorch, carpets, and gold panning equipment. The six detained individuals have been identified as JS, the supervisor; EW, an excavator operator; R, I, and J, who handled cash; and ML, a cook. Seven other people are believed to have fled, including F alias Fajar, who is alleged to be the mine’s financier.

Head of Public Relations for the West Papua Regional Police, Commissioner Trihadi Kuncahyo, stated that the use of mercury in gold processing has the potential to pollute waterways and damage the surrounding environment. He emphasised that the operation demonstrates the force’s commitment to cracking down on illegal mining, which harms the environment and causes losses to the state. “We urge the public not to engage in illegal mining, as it is detrimental to the state, damages nature, and is punishable under the Law on Mineral and Coal Mining,” Trihadi said.