The South Sumatra Regional Police have succeeded in thwarting the smuggling of 98 tons of illegal coal which was transported by four trucks from Muara Enim. The four trucks were secured by the police while crossing Jalan Lintas Sumatra, West Baturaja, Ogan Komering Ulu (OKU). However, the Ditreskrimsus Tipidter Sub-Directorate is still hunting for the owners and buyers of the coal.
Director of Ditreskrimsus Polda Sumsel, Kombes Pol Agung Marlianto said that during the arrest of four drivers and two kernet. The police have also named five illegal coal fugitives who are the owners of the vehicle and the owner of the coal. The five perpetrators who are still at large are AC (DPO) owner of the Hino KB 8739 AV Dump Truck vehicle driven by the suspect DH. As well as CC (DPO) owners of 26 tons of coal.
The five fugitives are OK (DPO) who owns 30 tons of coal and DD (DPO) who owns two vehicles, namely a Mitsubishi Fuso with number BE 8619 IU driven by suspect EB and PHS kernet. Mitsubishi Fuso with number BE 8604 AAU driven by suspects RK and AY. In addition, HS (DPO) is also a fugitive as the owner of a Mitsubishi Hino vehicle with number BE 9213 BO driven by FS.
According to Kombes Agung Marlianto, the six people secured are drivers or kernet workers, while the mine owner will be arrested. Including the owner of the vehicle whose identity has been pocketed by the police. However, law enforcement is carried out in a smooth and seamless manner to avoid conflict.
For the six suspects arrested. The police have ensnared them with Article 161 of Law No. 3 of 2020 concerning changes to Law No. 4 of 199 concerning minerals and coal (minerba). The penalty is five years in prison and a maximum fine of IDR 100 billion.
One of the suspects, DH (48), who played the role of a driver, admitted that he received a one-time fee of Rp. 3.5 million from the vehicle owner for picking up coal at Tanjung Enim and delivering it to the Lampung region.
With the successful arrest of these six suspects. It is expected to minimize and reduce illegal mining crimes in Indonesia, especially in South Sumatra. This can strengthen the application of laws and regulations and provide a deterrent effect for perpetrators of crimes.