The suspect is detained at the Papua Police's Mobile Brigade Headquarters in Kotaraja following his apprehension in Nabire District on ThursdayJayapura, Papua (ANTARA) - Papua Police Chief Inspector General Paulus Waterpauw confirmed Chief Brigadier JH, an officer of the police's elite mobile brigade, had been arrested for having allegedly involved in arms trafficking activities with armed Papuan criminal groups.
"The suspect is detained at the Papua Police's Mobile Brigade Headquarters in Kotaraja following his apprehension in Nabire District on Thursday (Oct 21)," Waterpauw was quoted by ANTARA in Jayapura, the capital of Papua Province, on Sunday.
In addition to JH, the police investigators also apprehended two civilians, including an ex-member of the Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI), in South Sulawesi Province, he said.
JH was arrested in Nabire District along with an M16 rifle and M4 carbine. The two assault rifles would have likely been sold to a notorious armed criminal group in Papua Province, Waterpauw said.
This armed trafficking case was uncovered after a joint team of investigators from the National Police and TNI conducted a thorough probe into rampant shootings that the Papuan armed criminal groups recently did in several areas.
"At first, we face some difficulties in uncovering the case because the arms trafficking activities are operated neatly enough, and the rifles are completed with official documents and supplied by air transport," he said.
Local residents recruited as couriers in the acts of crime told the joint investigators that the arms trafficking operation had been conducted for six times, he said, adding that this latest arms trafficking case had been informed to the police chief.
Waterpauw said the case that has damaged the institution's image must comprehensively be uncovered because the firearms sold to the armed criminals would threaten the lives of civilians and security personnel.
Based on the preliminary result of investigation, the firearms were sold to the armed criminal groups operating in Intan Jaya District, Papua Province. However, the investigation process remains continued, he said.
Early this year, Inspector General Paulus Waterpauw warned his men against getting involved in arms trafficking activities with the armed criminal groups in Papua, and said he would take stern action against them.
"There will be no pardon for those getting involved in arms trafficking activities. We are definitely sacking them. They will also be brought to court," he told journalists during his visit to Timika, the capital of Mimika District, on January 13.
He believes that a majority of police officers, posted in the Indonesian province of Papua, are highly dedicated, loyal, and reliable. However, there would likely be one or two who misbehave, Waterpauw said.
Related news: Freeport security officer faces trial for armed group involvement
Related news: Joint team thwarted firearm trade in Papua's Nabire: Police
Translator: Evarukdijati, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2020
