26 caught for suspicious goods

JAKARTA (JP): Twenty-six people have been arrested in the Bakauheni port, Lampung, on charges of attempting to smuggle in goods they looted here and in Tangerang during last week's riots.

Lampung police chief Col. Gendro Budi Santoso said yesterday the suspects arrested on Monday and Tuesday were mostly from Jakarta.

Gendro said the plunder, which ranged from electronic goods to canned food, was mostly stolen from Ramayana department stores in Tangerang and Jakarta.

"They brought it to Lampung but they fell into our trap before they could secure their loot," he said as quoted by Antara. He added that 22 were arrested on Monday and four on Tuesday.

Gendro said the authorities were also keeping an eye on people they suspected of planning to go to Java to incite unrest and loot.

Separately, South Lampung police chief Lt. Col. Harijadi Wibowo said the suspects were arrested with mostly automotive parts, clothing and foodstuffs.

The suspects will be tried as soon as possible, Antara reported. (pan)