Maluku police uncovered illegal mining of Cinnabar stone

News24xx.com - Maluku police uncovered illegal logging of cinnabar stone in Watuku Forest, Liang Village, Central Maluku District, Maluku Province. At that location the police confiscated 60 kilograms of mercury, which is the result of processed stone of cinnabar.

Maluku Police spokesman, M. Roem said the case was revealed after police got information from the public regarding suspicious activity at the location on Monday, April 17th, 2018.

"There is information from people who are looking for timber in the Watuku Forest to see a flame at a forest point and then check it, there is a wood burning under the distillation tubes" explained Roem in his statement to AFP on Friday, April 20th 2018.

Residents monitored the activity until finally reported to the police. "Residents know there cannot be an eucalyptus oil refinery there, so he reported to the police then" he continued.

The police followed up the information until finally arrested two people at the scene. Both are KR, 35 year-old with his wife, ML 39 year-old. "The next evidence we secured, and then conducted a search at the home of the two perpetrators in Tulehu Village," he continued.

In this couple's house, found 20 kg of mercury mixed with water. While the evidence confiscated at the mining site, among others, six refining iron, three plastic bags of combustion furnace, tarpaulins, plastic buckets, and mercury and other equipment.

"Total evidence there is 50 - 60 kg of mercury derived from the processing of about 200 kg of cinnabar stone" he said.

 

 

 

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