JAKARTA: Police in Riau have dismantled two separate illegal logging operations in Siak and Pelalawan regencies, arresting two suspects and hauling some 12 cubic metres of processed wood as evidence.
Detectives from Riau Police's Special Crimes Investigation (Reskrimsus) Directorate have arrested a truck driver, identified only as AS, and about 10 cubic metres of timber believed to have been illegally logged from the Giam Siak Kecil (GSK) Biosphere Reserve in Siak regency.
The arrest was made by detectives from Reskrimsus Directorate’s Sub-directorate IV, which investigates forestry and environmental issues, after receiving a tip off from the general public on the transport of timber without official documents.
“Reports on illegal logging receive our serious attention, especially if the timber is from a conservation area, such as the GSK Biosphere Reserve,” Reskrimsus director Sr Comr Ade Kuncoro Ridwan said on Monday.
He said anyone who intentionally transports, possesses or owns forest wood without legitimate documents is breaking the law.
“Enforcement against those involved in deforestation is part of the implementation of Green Policing program initiated by Riau Police chief Insp. Gen. Herry Heryawan as an effort to maintain sustainability of the environment in Riau,” he said.
“Riau Police are not only reforesting areas by planting trees but also strictly enforcing the law against those damaging the environment.”
Ade said the arrest was made on April 29 at about 9:45 a.m. on Jl. Pramuka in Lembah Sari, Rumbai Pesisir district, Pekanbaru city. Detectives stopped an Isuzu Colt Diesel truck carrying about 10 cubic meters of timber without an SKSHH forest product permit.
“The suspect, AS, admitted that the timber had been transported from Sungai Mandau district and within the GSK Biosphere Reserve,” Ade said.
“AS is only a stand-in driver, receiving Rp 300,000 (US$17.15) for each trip.” He said the syndicate had been working efficiently since the distribution channel had been streamlined.
“AS transported the timber on orders from a man identified only as B, who is the truck’s main driver. AS only brought the timber to the Kubang area in Kampar regency,” he said.
“B then took over and brought the truck and its load to the destination. B is still on the run.” Read also: Police arrest five people in two separate illegal logging cases in Riau Initial investigations revealed AS had already transported illegal timber four times from Sungai Mandau similarly.
“Enforcement will not stop at the driver. We will continue our investigations to uncover the main perpetrator in this operation of forest destruction,” Ade said.
The suspect is charged with violating Article 83 clause 1b and Article 88 clause 1a of Law No. 18/2013 on deforestation prevention and enforcement law.
The articles carry a maximum punishment of five years imprisonment and a maximum fine of Rp 2.5 billion.
Separately on Sunday, police in Pelalawan regency detained a farmer from Segati village, Langgam district, identified only as YI, who was caught logging trees inside forestry company PT Nusa Wana Raya’s (NWR) concession area without a permit from the authorities or the company.
Pelalawan Police chief spokesman Adj. Comr. Thomas Bernandes Siahaan said PT NWR management and security guards uncovered the illegal logging operation while conducting a routine patrol in Compartment M 725 at about 2:40am. The company secured three motorcycles, one chainsaw unit and 2 cubic metres of processed timber in the form of planks and battens, as evidence.
“The company, represented by employee Rio Pratama Purba, filed a police report and handed over the suspect and evidence to Pelalawan Police,” he said.
“PT NWR suffered from losses of Rp 70 million due to the suspect’s allegedly logging sengon trees (Albizia chinensis).”
The case is being handled by Pelalawan Police's Criminal Investigation (Reskrim) Unit and detectives were continuing to question witnesses under the case whose perpetrators allegedly violated Law No. 18/2013 on deforestation prevention and enforcement and Law No. 41/1999 on forestry. - The Jakarta Post/ANN
