A joint team comprising personnel of the Kerinci Police and the Kerinci Seblat National Park (TNKS) as well as forest rangers arrested on Sunday three people for illegal logging in the foothills of Mount Kerinci.

The arrests followed tip-offs from local people who reported rampant illegal logging activities in the area.

Two of the three alleged illegal loggers, identified only as MD, 49, and RD, 49, are residents of Gunung Tujuh district, Kerinci regency, while the other alleged logger, DK, 26, is a resident of Nagari Pakan Salasa in Pauh Duo district, South Solok regency, West Sumatra.

“They were arrested following investigations we conducted together with TNKS officials into their illegal logging activities in Kayu Aro district, which is part of the national park,” said First Insp. Edi Mardi of the Kerinci Police’s criminal investigation unit on Tuesday.

During the raid, the police confiscated 168 pieces of processed wood, two motorcycles and a chainsaw. 

Edi said the three loggers were charged under Article 83 of Law No.18/2013 on deforestation and forest degradation prevention and eradication, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. (hol/ebf)