Enviro News Asia, Bandar Lampung — The Forestry Law Enforcement Agency (Gakkum) for the Sumatra Region, in collaboration with the Lampung Provincial Forestry Office, arrested two individuals involved in illegal logging activities inside the Batu Serampok Protected Forest, Register 17, located in Neglasari Village, Katibung District, South Lampung Regency.
The suspects, identified by their initials NRM (55) and DP, were apprehended for illegally harvesting and transporting timber from the protected forest area. NRM acted as the tree cutter, while DP served as the driver responsible for transporting the illegally harvested timber.
According to authorities, NRM is a repeat offender who had previously been apprehended for similar forestry crimes and had received a formal warning. Despite the warning, he allegedly continued his illegal logging activities within the protected forest.
The arrest took place on 21 May 2026 at approximately 07:00 local time. Investigators reported that NRM entered the protected forest using a modified motorcycle carrying logging equipment, including a chainsaw, used oil, three liters of Pertalite fuel, a machete, a measuring tape, a file, and a 30-meter rope.
After felling approximately 30 trees, the suspect allegedly loaded the mixed tropical hardwood logs onto a black 2012 Mitsubishi L300 truck bearing registration number BE 8922 OY, which was driven by DP. Law enforcement officers swiftly intercepted the vehicle and arrested both suspects along with the timber and equipment used in the operation.
Authorities seized 62 pieces of illegally harvested mixed hardwood timber, a chainsaw, a machete, the Mitsubishi L300 truck, its ignition key, and the vehicle registration certificate. The confiscated evidence will be formally transferred to the State Storage Facility for Confiscated Assets (Rupbasan) in Bandar Lampung.
Both suspects have been officially designated as criminal suspects and are currently being detained at the Class I Way Hui Detention Center while legal proceedings continue.
Investigators charged the suspects under Article 82 paragraph (1) letter c and/or Article 83 paragraph (1) letter a in conjunction with Article 12 letters c and d of Law No. 18 of 2013 on the Prevention and Eradication of Forest Destruction, as amended by Law No. 6 of 2023 on Job Creation. If convicted, they face a maximum prison sentence of five years and fines of up to Rp2.5 billion.
Head of the Forestry Law Enforcement Agency for the Sumatra Region, Hari Novianto, praised the cooperation among forest management authorities and law enforcement agencies in Lampung. He emphasized that firm action against illegal logging is essential to curb forest degradation and protect the province’s remaining forest resources.
“We hope this law enforcement action sends a strong deterrent message to other offenders across Lampung. Economic motives must never be used to justify environmental destruction while ignoring the ecological importance of forests and the public interests they support,” Hari Novianto stated.
The Forestry Law Enforcement Agency reaffirmed its commitment to intensifying forest patrols and strengthening cooperation with relevant institutions to safeguard protected forest areas from illegal activities that threaten ecosystems and cause losses to the state. (*)
