inp.polri.go.id - Palu. The Central Sulawesi Regional Police have seized 22 units of heavy equipment found in Bodi Village, West Paleleh District, Buol Regency. The discovery is currently under investigation, as it is located near a location reported by the public as a suspected illegal gold mining area.
The Head of Public Relations for the Central Sulawesi Regional Police, Senior Superintendent Achmad Muhaimin, stated that all the heavy equipment has been secured and deposited at the Buol Sub-regional Police as recovered property.
"Currently, all the heavy equipment has been secured and deposited at the Buol Sub-regional Police as recovered property," Achmad said in Palu, Friday (8/28/2026).
The discovery stemmed from a public report regarding alleged illegal gold mining activity in the area. Following up on the report, the Central Sulawesi Regional Police's Special Crimes Sub-Directorate Team visited the location and recovered dozens of pieces of heavy equipment.
Police then questioned several witnesses, including the Bodi Village Head, to determine the origin and ownership of the heavy equipment.
"We questioned several witnesses, including the Bodi Village Head, to help determine the origin of the heavy equipment and whether it was connected to illegal mining activities," he said.
Despite finding 22 pieces of heavy equipment, officers did not find any illegal mining activity during their inspection of the location. The heavy equipment was found not far from an area previously reported as a suspected illegal mining site.
"So, no illegal mining activity was found, and the heavy equipment was located not far from the location," Achmad said.
The Central Sulawesi Regional Police confirmed that the findings will be followed up professionally. Police are still investigating the possible connection between the seized heavy equipment and alleged illegal gold mining activities in Buol Regency.
Achmad emphasized that his team has not yet concluded any direct link between the 22 pieces of heavy equipment and illegal gold mining activities.
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