Manokwari, W Papua, July 17 -- Police in Indonesia's West Papua Province are searching for a man suspected of financing an illegal gold mining operation after arresting six people and seizing six excavators during a raid in Manokwari, authorities said on Friday.

West Papua Police's Director of Special Criminal Investigation Senior Commissioner Darma Suwandito said investigators are pursuing a suspect identified as F, also known as Fajar, following the operation at the illegal mine in the Wasirawi River, Masni Subdistrict.

"We will continue the investigation to locate F, also known as Fajar, who is believed to be the financier behind the illegal mining operation," Darma said.

He said a joint task force carried out the operation over thr...