Police nab suspected weapons smuggler<\/p>\n
Evi Mariani, The Jakarta Post\/Jakarta<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Police have detained a suspect for allegedly
\nsmuggling 552 illegal weapons into the country, the biggest haul
\nthis year, through Tanjung Priok port in North Jakarta.<\/p>\n
\"The suspect, identified as F, is the owner of an import
\ncompany,\" said the city police detectives chief Sr. Comr. Mathius
\nSalempang on Thursday. \"I can't say more as I am still counting
\nthe weapons here as evidence.\"<\/p>\n
Tanjung Priok Customs and Excise Office handed over the
\nsmuggled weapons to the police as evidence for further
\ninvestigation.<\/p>\n
The Ministry of Finance's Customs Directorate found on
\nWednesday 492 Carl Walter 7.65 mm pistols in 11 different models
\nand 60 Smith & Wesson Springfield guns in three different models.<\/p>\n
The customs office said usually arms smuggling was done in
\nsmall quantities and via airports.<\/p>\n
The weapons had been packed in 41 boxes shipped among plastic
\nguns. The import order, dated Nov. 25 made by PT GM toy importer,
\nsaid the contents of the container imported from Taiwan were
\nplastic toy guns.<\/p>\n
Customs officials found the container on board the ship YM
\nMoji V.13 S from Taiwan. Officials became suspicious when the Hi-
\nCo Scanner at the seaport customs office detected metal in the
\ncontainer. They searched it and found the guns and thousands of
\nrounds of ammunition inside.<\/p>\n
\"The importer has violated the customs law, which carries a
\nmaximum sentence of five years in prison and\/or a maximum fine of
\nRp 250 million (US$27,777). He has also violated Emergency Law
\nNo. 12\/1951, which carries a maximum sentence of death,\" Eddy
\nAbdurachman, director general of customs and excise, said on
\nWednesday.<\/p>\n
The value of the smuggled weapons, however, remains unknown.<\/p>\n
In another haul, custom officials seized 300 6mm semi
\nautomatic air pistols. The air pistols were shipped from Taiwan
\non board the Wan Hai 206 S155 and were imported by PT CPI. The
\ncompany also said in the document that the goods were imported
\ntoys.<\/p>\n
Only certain civilians are permitted to own weapons including
\nlawyers, bank directors and high ranking ministerial or
\nadministrative officials whose work is deemed risky. But they are
\nonly permitted to own registered firearms of less than .32
\ncaliber, or 7.65 mm. Higher caliber firearms are licensed only to
\npolice and military personnel.<\/p>\n
Last year, about 800 civilians were registered in the city as
\ngun owners, while registered civilian firearm owners number 9,702
\nnationwide.<\/p>\n
Gun owners must undergo an annual assessment of their
\nsuitability to possess a firearm, including target shooting and a
\npsychiatric test.<\/p>",
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