RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Law enforcers of the Indonesian Forestry Ministry in West Kalimantan have thwarted an attempt to transport hundreds of illegal logs, seizing timber and detaining suspects in a midnight operation over the weekend along the Pawan River.

Head of the Ministry's Forestry Law Enforcement Center for the Kalimantan Region, Leonardo Gultom, confirmed from Jakarta on Monday, January 19, 2026, that the raid took place in the early hours of Saturday, January 17, around 1:00 a.m. local time. His team seized a raft carrying approximately 600 mixed hardwood logs along with two riverboats on the Pawan-Ketapang waters.

“The operation was triggered by public reports of illegal timber rafting from the upper Pawan River, allegedly sourced from forest areas without permits. Acting swiftly, our team discovered the raft docking at a wood-processing facility before dawn,” Gultom explained.

Upon inspection, no legal documents were presented. Five individuals found at the scene were taken into custody for questioning to determine their roles and identify the masterminds behind the operation.

The enforcement action occurred as the raft approached a processing facility in Negeri Baru Village, Benua Kayong Subdistrict, Ketapang. Initial checks revealed the logs lacked official transport permits (SKSHHK) or any other valid documentation.

In addition to confiscating the timber and detaining suspects, forestry law enforcement officers also secured the processing site suspected of receiving the illegal supply for further investigation.

The suspects face potential penalties of up to five years in prison and fines reaching IDR 2.5 billion.

“We will continue to expand the investigation to uncover financiers and ultimate beneficiaries of this illegal practice. The role of the receiving industry will also be examined,” Gultom added.

Echoing the statement, Director General of Forestry Law Enforcement Dwi Januanto Nugroho reaffirmed the government’s commitment to tackling environmental crimes.

“This operation is part of ongoing efforts to curb deforestation, environmental damage, and state losses caused by illegal logging, particularly in West Kalimantan,” Nugroho said. ***