JAKARTA: (Bernama) Indonesian police have arrested three suspects and seized a large cache of firearms and ammunition in an effort to disrupt the smuggling of weapons to the Armed Criminal Group (KKB) in Puncak Jaya, Papua.
The weapons, intended for the group led by Lerimayu Telengen, were intercepted following a week of surveillance by the Damai Cartenz Task Force and Papua Police.
The main suspect, Yuni Enumbi, 29, was arrested on Thursday (March 6) in Keerom Regency, along with a lorry driver and his assistant, who claimed to be unaware of the cargo’s contents.
Task force operation head Brigadier General (Police) Faizal Ramadhani, in a statement, said that the seizure would help hinder the flow of illegal arms to separatist groups.
Authorities recovered two unassembled long-barrelled rifles, four G2 Pindad pistols, and an air rifle fitted with a laser sight, suppressor, and scope.
They also seized IDR 369.6 million (US$24,640) in cash and 632 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, as well as 250 rounds of 9mm ammunition.
The weapons were reportedly purchased for IDR 1.3 billion (US$86,667) from outside Papua.
Task force spokesperson Commissioner Yusuf Sutejo said investigations were ongoing.
"This success is just the beginning. We are committed to tracing the origins of these weapons and identifying all parties involved,” he added.
The conflict between Indonesian forces and separatist rebels in Papua has escalated in recent years, with increasing attacks on both security forces and civilians. - Bernama
