Police Arrest Indian National in West Sumatra Over 1.4 Kg Illegal Gold Trade

RRI.CO.ID, Padang - Special Crime Directorate officers from the West Sumatra Regional Police have arrested a 39-year-old Indian national identified as A for his alleged role in an international illegal gold trafficking ring, seizing 1.4 kilograms of unprocessed gold bars.

The suspect was intercepted on Thursday night, August 20, 2026, at a gas station in Lubuk Sikarah Subdistrict, Solok City, following a covert surveillance operation. Authorities confiscated three refined gold bars, a digital scale, IDR 6.03 million (USD 342) in cash, and a mobile phone used during the transactions.

Initial investigations revealed that the suspect sourced the precious metal from unlicensed mining operations (PETI) in Sijunjung Regency and Gerabak Data, Solok Regency. Operating under instructions from a Malaysia-based financier identified as N, the suspect allegedly gathered local yield for scheduled pickup by international couriers.

The suspect has been charged under Article 161 of Law No. 3/2020 on Mineral and Coal Mining in conjunction with Law No. 1/2026 on Penal Adjustments, which regulates penalties for processing, transporting, or selling minerals from unauthorized sources.

Police spokesperson and investigation lead confirmed that cross-border enforcement protocols have been activated as multi-agency probes continue into illegal mining networks in Solok and Sijunjung. West Sumatra Police Public Relations Division Head Sr. Comr. Susmelawati Rosya affirmed the commitment to crack down on supply chains supporting unauthorized extraction.

"The suspect is a male foreign national who is currently undergoing intensive examination at the West Sumatra Regional Police headquarters, we remain committed to taking firm action against illegal mining activities across the region," Sr. Comr. Susmelawati said in Padang on Friday, August 21, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

Subdirectorate IV Commander of the West Sumatra Police Special Crime Directorate Adj. Sr. Comr. Okta Rahmansyah outlined the ongoing legal coordination regarding foreign nationals.

"We will coordinate with Immigration and the Embassy of India because this case involves a foreign citizen, we are continuing to develop the case to dismantle the full supply chain connected to the suspect's operations," Adj. Sr. Comr. Okta Rahmansyah added. ***