In addition to the weapons, they also like laptops or mobile telephones."Jayapura (ANTARA News) - The Papua Police Department suspect that cannabis was traded for weapons in the border areas between the Republic of Indonesia and Papua New Guinea (PNG).
Narcotics and Drugs Director Senior Commissioner Tornagogo Sihombing said in Jayapura, Papua, on Monday, the police forces presumption was due to the investigations of three suspects believed to be members of a narcotics and drugs networking syndicate, who were arrested on May 2, 2014.
"We presume that the cannabis from PNG was sold recently through barter with weapons or other goods, according to the deal," Sihombing said.
The police had arrested three suspects with initials Y, M and S, and also seized 7.2 kilograms of cannabis, a homemade firearm and 96 bullets of 7.62 millimeter-caliber.
The investigation indicated that the suspects bought the weapon and its bullets from Ambon and Maluku to be bartered with a civilian from PNG, who is a cannabis dealer.
Sihombing explained that for people in PNG, weapons are valuable and the primary choice for barter. These weapons will later be used as a self-defense instrument against the armed groups in PNG.
"In addition to the weapons, they also like laptops or mobile telephones," he added.
Regarding the PNG civilian who is a dried cannabis supplier, Sihombing said currently the police had not arrested him since he had just delivered the cannabis to the RI-PNG border.
"However, we have reported the information to the Indonesian Consulate in Vanimo, PNG," Sihombing added.
(Uu.A060/INE/KR-BSR/A014)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2014
