Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta.  bThe North Sulawesi Regional Police's Criminal Investigation Directorate intercepted a 10 kg gold shipment believed to be from illegal mining on Wednesday (24/4/2024).

North Sulawesi Police Chief Yudhiawan Wibisono said that the North Sulawesi’s Specific Sub-directorate officers arrested three suspects – identified as LS (58), MR (35), and RH (36) – on Tuesday at Sam Ratulangi Airport in Manado.

The suspects were caught attempting to transport gold bars, intending to sell them in Surabaya, sourced from illegal mining in North Sulawesi.

Officers discovered 19 gold bars weighing approximately 10 kilograms neatly packed in a black backpack secured with a padlock at Sam Ratulangi Airport, based on public reports.

The suspects, along with the evidence, were taken to the North Sulawesi Police headquarters for further investigation. 

They face charges under Article 161 of Law No. 3 of 2020 on Amendments to Law No. 4 of 2009 on Mineral and Coal Mining, with a maximum prison sentence of 5 years and a maximum fine of Rp. 100 billion.

(mg/ay/pr/nm)