In a statement issued by the Forest Area Enforcement Task Force (PKH) and received by ANTARA on Saturday, authorities said they arrested a foreign national carrying five packs of nickel powder and four packs of refined nickel powder.
The suspect was detained while preparing to board a Super Air Jet flight from Weda Bay (WDB) to Manado (MDC).
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Officials did not provide further details on the arrest or the suspect’s motive. The individual is in custody and being questioned for further information.
The airport security tightening follows a government decision on Nov. 29, 2025, to increase oversight at IWIP Airport.
Authorities said the airport, which has operated since 2019, lacked adequate government security elements, prompting the deployment of a joint task force.
The task force consists of personnel from the military security unit, Customs, Immigration, Police, Fish-Animal-Plant Quarantine, Health Quarantine, the Meteorology Agency (BMKG), AirNav Indonesia and airport security (Avsec), all assigned to strengthen airport monitoring.
The government said the move aims to prevent the airport from becoming a corridor for illegal activities, particularly those involving the misuse of Indonesia’s natural resources.
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Translator: Walda Marison, Cindy Frishanti Octavia
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2025
