Saturday, 24 October 2026
NAGAN RAYA | INDATANEWS.COM - Criminal investigators from Nagan Raya Police have arrested a 40-year-old man identified by the initials UT over alleged involvement in illegal gold mining in Tuwi Meulesong Village, Seunagan Timur District, Nagan Raya Regency, Aceh Province, Indonesia. Police suspect that he owned the excavator used at the site and financed the mining activities, which remain under investigation.
Investigators detained UT on Friday, 23 October 2026, after he reported to the special crimes unit of Nagan Raya Police's Criminal Investigation Department for further questioning. Before his detention, investigators had summoned him in writing twice, but he failed to attend either summons without a legally recognised reason, according to the investigation report.The case began after members of the public reported suspected illegal gold mining in Tuwi Meulesong Village. A joint team from Nagan Raya Police's Criminal Investigation Department and the intelligence unit of the Nagan Raya Military District Command followed up on the information and discovered several items of equipment believed to have been used for mining.
The investigation began on Monday, 12 October 2026. A joint team led by Nagan Raya Police Criminal Investigation Department chief AKP Muhammad Rizal travelled to the suspected illegal mining site after receiving information about the activities. Officers arrived at around 11 pm local time and found several items potentially linked to the alleged mining operation.
At the site, officers discovered two huts, an orange Hitachi excavator, a gold-sieving device known as an asbuk, a digital scale, two devices known as indang used to separate gold, a small pan, three gold-sieving mats and a Tianli water pump.The discoveries form part of the ongoing investigation into suspected mining activities conducted without the required permits. The excavator and gold-processing equipment are of particular interest to investigators, who are seeking to reconstruct the activities at the site and establish who may have been involved.
On Tuesday, 13 October 2026, at around 10 am, officers transported the excavator and other evidence to Nagan Raya Police headquarters. The head of Tuwi Meulesong Village accompanied the transport.Based on the findings so far and statements from several witnesses, investigators suspect that the excavator had been used for mining activities since July 2026.
"Based on the investigation findings and statements from several witnesses, the excavator is suspected to have been used for mining activities since July 2026," Nagan Raya Police chief AKBP Muhamad Taufiq said on Friday, 23 October 2026, through Criminal Investigation Department chief AKP Muhammad Rizal.According to AKP Muhammad Rizal, investigators had issued two written summonses to UT. However, he failed to attend either without a legally recognised reason, as recorded in the investigation report.
"As part of the investigation, officers issued two summonses to the individual concerned. However, he failed to attend either without a legally recognised reason, as recorded in the investigation report," Rizal said.After questioning several witnesses and gathering evidence, investigators obtained further information pointing to UT's possible involvement. The investigation continued after he appeared at the special crimes unit of Nagan Raya Police's Criminal Investigation Department on Friday, 23 October 2026.
"On Friday, 23 October 2026, UT finally appeared at the special crimes unit of Nagan Raya Police's Criminal Investigation Department and was subsequently detained for further questioning," Rizal said.These findings form part of the ongoing investigation into UT's suspected role, particularly his alleged connection to the excavator and the possibility that he financed the mining operation. Police must continue to verify witness statements and compare them with the seized evidence to establish the sequence of events and determine the responsibilities of those potentially involved.
Investigators are examining the case under Article 158 in conjunction with Article 35 of Indonesian Law No. 3 of 2020, which amended Law No. 4 of 2009 on Mineral and Coal Mining, alongside other relevant legislative provisions cited in the investigation.
These provisions provide the legal basis for investigating suspected mining activities carried out without the necessary permits. However, their application in the investigation does not mean that any individual's guilt has been established. Criminal liability must be proven through the applicable legal process.Police have seized an orange Hitachi excavator, two indang devices used for gold separation, a digital scale, three gold-sieving mats fitted to the asbuk apparatus and a small pan as evidence. The equipment will be examined further as investigators seek to establish the circumstances surrounding the suspected illegal mining activities.
The Nagan Raya Police chief stressed that the investigation remained ongoing. Officers would continue to record witness statements and examine the seized items in connection with the suspected unlicensed mining operation.The investigation aims to establish how the alleged mining activities were organised, when the excavator first came into use and whether other individuals may have been involved. Until the case reaches a final legal determination, the allegations against UT remain subject to the ongoing police investigation.
The case also highlights the importance of monitoring the use of heavy machinery and mineral-processing equipment in areas where mining is suspected of taking place without authorisation. Thorough investigations and careful examination of the evidence are essential to ensuring that mining activities comply with the law. (IDNC)REPORTER: Adli Safwan | EDITOR: Fik Sagala
