Head of Public Relations of the Polda of West Java, Kombes Pol Hendra Rochmawan, and Director of Special Criminal Investigation of the Polda of West Java, Kombes Pol Wirdhanto Hadicaksono, providing information on efforts to crack down on illegal mining activities in the Bukit Pongkor area, Bogor Regency, West Java.

progresifjaya.co.id, BANDUNG – An illegal gold mining operation (PETI) in the Bukit Pongkor area of Bogor Regency, West Java, was cracked down on by the Polda of West Java Special Criminal Investigation Directorate (Ditreskrimsus).

The illegal gold mining operation, which took place in the Nanggung and Leuwiliang Districts, was also found to have a significant financial turnover of Rp9 billion per month.

Four individuals were also arrested: M, EM, MNL, and HMA. All four played different roles in the illegal gold production chain, from miners to processors to collectors.

The Director of Special Criminal Investigation at the Polda of West Java, Kombes Pol Wirdhanto Hadicaksono explained in his statement, that the crackdown on this case began with a police report on March 7, 2026. After an intensive investigation, officers identified the perpetrators’ work patterns and modus operandi.

“Based on our intensive investigation, we finally succeeded in busting an illegal gold mining syndicate at the Bukit Pongkor crime scene. There were four perpetrators, each with their own role in this chain, whom we also sacked,” explained Kombes Pol Wirdhanto at Polda of West Java Headquarters on Thursday, April 30, 2026.

According to the investigation, suspect M was responsible for processing soil and rocks containing metal into “jendil,” or lumps of raw metal, at his residence.

This process yielded approximately 0,5 to 2,5 grams of jendil at each processing stage.

The jendil was then sold to suspect EM for approximately Rp1,2 million to be further processed into bullion.  The product was then handed over to suspect MNL, who then molded it into gold bars of various sizes, ranging from 25 grams to 100 grams.

“Mr. MNL then sold the gold to his own father, suspect HMA, who owns a gold kiosk in a market in the Bogor area. In the last transaction, the sale was recorded at 389,69 grams, valued at Rp979 million,” said Kombes Pol Wirdhanto.

In one month, this illegal activity is known to produce 2 to 3 kilograms of gold. With a selling price ranging from Rp2 million to Rp3 million per gram, the total turnover is estimated to reach Rp9 billion per month. One of the perpetrators is even said to have earned personal profits of up to Rp5 billion.

Head of Public Relations for the Polda of West Java, Kombes Pol Hendra Rochmawan added that. He said, that the efforts to eradicate illegal gold mining (PETI) will not stop here.

“We are continuing to develop efforts to uncover a wider distribution network,” he said.

He also addressed the Polda of West Java appeal urging the public not to engage in illegal mining activities. Besides causing losses to the state, such practices also pose a high risk to life and cause serious, permanent environmental damage.

Meanwhile, investigators have charged the four perpetrators of this practice, who have been arrested, under Articles 158 and 161 of Law Number 3 of 2020 concerning Mineral and Coal Mining (Minerba). The penalty is a maximum of five years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to Rp100 billion.

Writer/Editor: Bembo