Inp.polri.go.id - Samarida. The Riau Regional Police have intensified their enforcement operations against illegal logging to preserve local forest ecosystems.
The Directorate of Special Criminal Investigation uncovered an illegal sawmill operation in Sungai Sarik Village, East KamparKiri District, Kampar Regency, as part of a strategic push to break the supply chain of environmental crimes.
The enforcement began following public reports concerning timber processing operations operating without valid legal documentation. In response, the Sub-directorate IV for Speoa; Crimes team, reinforced by the Mobile Brigade (Brimob) officers, conducted a field investigation.
"During the inspection, officers found active timber processing underway. However, the workers failed to produce a valid Forest Product Legality Certificate (SKSHH) or any documentation proving the lawful origin of the timber being processed," said Riau Police Director of Special Criminal Investigation Senior Superintendent Ade Kuncoro.
Authorities arrested a 28-year-old suspect, identified by the initials D.A.S., who allegedly served as the sawmill supervisor. Investigators also seized 780 processed timber planks, 14 raw logs, four band saws, a saw sharpener, a chainsaw, a water pump, and various woodworking tools from the site.
Chief Ade said that illegal sawmills serve as critical nodes in the illicit timber trade by processing black-market wood before market distribution. He noted that the investigation will expand to target the business owners, financiers, and primary beneficiaries.
The enforcement aligns with directives from Riau Police Chief, Inspector General Herry Heryawan, under the institutional "Green Policing" framework. This specialized initiative integrates strict statutory law enforcement with active environmental preservation.
Head of Sub-directorate IV Special Crime, Superintendent Teddy Ardian confirmed that investigators are currently tracing the origin of the seized timber and pursuing the sawmill's primary owner, identified as L.F.W. The detained suspect faces charges under Law No. 18 of 2013 on the Prevention and Eradication of Forest Destruction, as amended by Law No. 6 of 2023, carrying a maximum prison sentence of five years and fines up to Rp 2.5 billion.
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