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Gum Rubber Theft Foiled by Rangers

Medan, Ekuatorial – The Great Hall of the Gunung Leuser National Park (BBTNGL) arrested gum rubber thieves and seized 8.5 tons of evidence. Two trucks carrying gum rubber ambushed at Sawit Sebrang Street, Padang Tualang, August 2, 2015, at midnight.

Public Relations of BBTNGL, Rahmat Saleh said officers conducted surveillance after receiving information from the public. “Total evidence that we seized was 8.5 tons. Its value is approximately 50 million Rupiah,” said Rahmat. From the investigation, the stolen gum rubber will be sold to Siantar, Simalungun, and Kampung Lalang, Medan, in North Sumatra.

Four people were arrested, they are Indra Gunawan, Robert Mortejae Munthe, Sofian, and Eko Titoni. They are still under investigation by civil servant investigators in BBTNGL, on Monday (3/8).

Rahmat said that, based on recognition of Indra Gunawan, this month he had gone to Gunung Leuser National Park four times to take the gum rubber. Two trucks were used belong to Sumanto, Barak Induk resident.

In accordance with Law 18/2013 on the Prevention and Eradication of forest destruction, the four could face a minimum of three years and a maximum of 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of 5 billion Rupiah. “The punishment of taking the plantation crops of conservation areas is heavier than wood. I’ve told the people that do not take anything from the conservation area, wood or gum rubber,” he said.

Based on satellite imagery, said Rahmat, region of Gunung Leuser National Park in Langkat have been reduced by nearly 32 thousand hectares. Even 12 thousand hectares have been converted to oil palm and rubber. “There are also others, such as crops, watermelon, and grapefruit. However, it dominated by palm and rubber.”

When carrying evidence and perpetrators to Medan, they claimed to be stopped by others who claimed from the Military Command in Simpang Megawati, Stabat. After continuing the journey, they returned claiming to be stopped by officers from the Police Department. Mei

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