Inp.polri.go.id – West Pasaman. West Pasaman Sub-regional police have secured seven illegal gold miners in Jorong Kampung Baru, Ranah Batahan regency. Police reveals that the illegal miners used an excavator to mine the gold. West Pasaman Police Chief, Police Grand Commissioner Adjutant Agung Basuki states that suspects were caught red-handed while gold mining around the garden field. “We act firmly against the perpetrators who illegally mine without permit. If we let them, they could destroy the ecosystem and surrounding environments,” said Basuki quoted from Antaranews on Tuesday (11/28/2023). Agung reveals there are seven suspects arrested by the police with the initials of AH (34), MA (47), S (40), NA (37), IUM (33), RS (39), and RS (16). The evidence of the arrest includes an excavator of XMG PC 200, three pieces of gold filtering carpet, three units of gold pan equipment, one unit of water pipe hose, and gold still mixed with black sand from mining The arrest marks as police commitment in eradicating illegal mining without permit in West Sumatra. “Currently suspects have been secured at West Pasaman Police HQ for further examination. There are possibilities where we will further develop the case to see who are behind this illegal action,” Basuki said firmly. (ad/fa/pr/nm)