Police Hunt Supplier of 200 Rounds of Ammunition Smuggled to Papua New Guinea 

Jakarta: The Damai Cartenz-2026 Operations Task Force and Papua Police’s Criminal Investigation Directorate are searching for the supplier of 200 rounds of 5.56-millimeter ammunition seized in the waters off Jayapura.

The ammunition was allegedly being smuggled to Papua New Guinea (PNG) by longboat.

Damai Cartenz-2026 Operations Public Relations Task Force Chief Sr. Comr. Yusuf Sutejo said investigators would focus on tracing the distribution chain of the ammunition. According to Yusuf, the identities of the longboat crew and the vessel used are still under investigation.

“We will conduct a more in-depth investigation into who sent the goods, where they came from, and where they were headed. We will also take statements from several witnesses,” Yusuf stated in a written statement on Tuesday, October 6, 2026.

Meanwhile, Damai Cartenz-2026 Operations Chief Insp. Gen. Faizal Ramadhani stressed that the handling of the case would not stop at the seizure of the evidence. According to Faizal, investigators are required to uncover the entire distribution chain and the parties behind it.

“This evidence will continue to be investigated to determine its origin, distribution routes, and the parties involved in procuring, transporting, or possessing the ammunition,” Faizal said.

Faizal emphasized that inter-agency collaboration is important to break the chain of illegal ammunition distribution. He said such synergy is key to maintaining security in Papua.

“Inter-agency collaboration is crucial to breaking the chain of illegal ammunition distribution. We will continue to support law enforcement efforts concerning every finding related to security disturbances,” he explained.

Deputy Chief of the Damai Cartenz-2026 Operations, Sr. Comr. Adarma Sinaga, urged the public not to become involved in the storage, transportation, or distribution of illegal ammunition. Adarma said information from the public is crucial to preventing security disturbances.

“If you become aware of any suspicious activity, particularly involving the illegal storage, transportation, or distribution of ammunition, immediately report it to security personnel,” Adarma uttered.

Adarma also urged the public not to be easily exploited by certain parties. He said residents should help maintain a safe and conducive situation in Papua.

“We urge the public to work together to maintain security in their surroundings and not be easily exploited by certain parties in activities that violate the law,” Adarma said.

The ammunition was seized by Jayapura Customs and Excise officers from a longboat bound for Papua New Guinea (PNG) on Saturday, October 3, 2026. Jayapura Customs and Excise handed over the evidence to the Damai Cartenz Task Force and Papua Police’s Criminal Investigation Directorate on Monday, October 5, 2026.

(Razaqa Hariz)