Jakarta. The Forestry Ministry has shut down an illegal gold mining operation inside a protected forest in Bolaang Mongondow, North Sulawesi, and is expanding its investigation to identify the financiers and organizers behind the operation, a senior ministry official said on Sunday.

The enforcement action is aimed not only at stopping illegal mining but also at protecting the ecological functions of the forest and preventing further environmental damage, Dwi Januanto Nugroho, the ministry's director general of forestry law enforcement, said in a statement.

"The collaboration of the government, law enforcement agencies and local communities is key to preserving our forests for present and future generations," Dwi said.

He added that investigators would pursue everyone involved in the illegal operation, including owners of heavy equipment, financiers and those who ordered the mining activities, rather than limiting the case to workers found at the site.

The investigation began after authorities received reports from residents, which were subsequently verified by officials from the Forestry Ministry and law enforcement agencies.

"When our team arrived, an excavator was still operating inside the protected forest. The mining activities were immediately halted, and everyone at the site was secured," said Ali Bahri, head of the Sulawesi Regional Forestry Law Enforcement Office.

Authorities seized an excavator and detained five people found at the site. Two of them -- including the excavator operator and the person responsible for the mining operation -- have been named as suspects, while the investigation remains ongoing.

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