Pasaman Barat Police Seize Excavator in Illegal Gold Mining Raid

Police in Pasaman Barat, West Sumatra, have seized an excavator and detained a man, identified by the initials AB, during a raid on an alleged illegal gold mining site. The operation took place in Jorong Kampung Baru, Nagari Batahan, following community reports regarding unauthorized mining activities that threaten the local ecosystem.

Investigators are currently examining AB’s role in the operation and are searching for the financiers and masterminds behind the illegal resource exploitation. Preliminary investigations suggest the operation utilized heavy machinery, including excavators, material processing machines known as 'dompeng', and high-capacity water pumps.

While officers secured the excavator, they reported that no active mining was occurring at the time of the site visit. Authorities are also investigating land ownership status in the area and coordinating with local government officials to determine the full scope of the illegal activity, which is suspected to have been active for approximately one month.