Police arrest two in secret sand mining raid in Toapaya, seizing pumps, pipes, and cash.
A covert illegal sand mining operation in Bintan was dismantled after residents tipped off police, leading to two arrests and the seizure of equipment used to extract and sell sand unlawfully.
Community Reports Trigger Action
Two men, identified as Osmon Sunaro Gulo (38) and Farizal alias Ijal (56), were caught in the act of illegally mining sand on Tuesday, July 15, 2025. The operation, located on Jalan Tanjungkapur in Toapaya, Bintan, was exposed after concerned residents reported suspicious activity to local authorities.
IPTU Ady Satrio Gustian of the Bintan Police’s Criminal Investigation Unit led the raid, which was backed by an official investigation warrant (Sp.Lidik/44/VII/RES.1.24./2025/Reskrim). Officers arrived at the remote site to find a functioning sand extraction setup using a diesel-powered suction pump known locally as a “mesin dompeng.”
Tools of the Trade Seize
During the operation, authorities confiscated:
- 1 sand suction machine
- 12 metal pipes
- 3 sand shovels
- 1 jerrycan with 10 liters of diesel
- 1 toolkit
- 1 unregistered black Honda Scoopy
- IDR 22,000 in cash (≈ SGD 1.76)
These items were immediately secured as evidence, and the area was sealed with police tape to prevent further unauthorized activities. The mining site was allegedly supplying sand to truck drivers for IDR 450,000 (≈ SGD 36) per 4-cubic-meter load.
Operation Backed by Financial Motive
Initial investigations revealed that Osmon acted as the financier and operational head, while Farizal functioned as a field worker. According to police, the two had been running the illicit business for about a week before being caught. Osmon claimed that the pump was borrowed, but investigators are probing whether a third party may have facilitated or ordered the activity.
“We’re still investigating the origin of the equipment and whether someone else is pulling the strings behind this illegal operation,” Ady stated on Wednesday, July 16.
Legal Consequences Await
The suspects were taken to the Bintan Police headquarters for further questioning. Police are also preparing to question witnesses and liaise with environmental and licensing authorities to build a comprehensive case. If found guilty, the pair could face charges under Indonesia’s environmental protection and mining laws, which carry heavy penalties for unlicensed extraction.
Environmental and Economic Impact
Bintan Police Chief AKBP Yunita Stevani emphasized that illegal mining is not just a legal violation but also poses severe environmental and fiscal risks. “These operations destroy land integrity, reduce water quality, and rob the state of rightful tax revenue,” she said. She warned that similar crackdowns will continue across the region.
The raid serves as a stern reminder that unregulated resource exploitation will not be tolerated, especially when it endangers local ecosystems and deprives the nation of lawful income.
The dismantling of this illegal sand mining site in Bintan signals a firm stance by Indonesian authorities against environmental crimes. For residents and businesses in Indonesia and nearby Singapore, it’s a vital reminder that illegal activities, even in remote areas, can trigger significant legal and environmental consequences.
Sources: Batam Pos (2025) , Posmetrobatam.co.id (2025)
Keywords: Illegal Sand Mining, Bintan Arrest, Environmental Crime, Toapaya Police Raid, Sand Extraction Equipment, Mining Operation
