Customs Thwarts Illegal Ammunition Smuggling at Indonesia-Papua New Guinea Border

Jayapura Customs thwarted an attempt to smuggle ammunition at the Skouw State Border Crossing (PLBN) in Jayapura City on Saturday (28/3/2026). The enforcement took place at the arrival terminal of PLBN Skouw while officers conducted routine inspections of goods carried by border crossers from Papua New Guinea (PNG). “This enforcement demonstrates the presence of Customs as the frontline guard in protecting the state border from the entry of dangerous goods, including illegal ammunition,” stated Fungki Awaludin, Head of Jayapura Customs Office. The action began with officers’ suspicions during an X-ray machine scan of a border crosser’s belongings. Upon further examination, officers discovered two rounds of 12-gauge (shotgun) ammunition stored inside a black cloth shoulder bag. The ammunition was carried by a Papua New Guinean national with initials SD (55), who was crossing from Papua New Guinea territory into Indonesia. Following the discovery, Customs officers immediately detained the suspect and handed him over, along with the evidence, to law enforcement authorities, specifically the Skouw Police Subsector, for further handling. From the examination results, the act is suspected to violate the provisions of Law No. 17 of 2006 on Customs as well as the Emergency Law of the Republic of Indonesia No. 12 of 1951 regarding the possession and circulation of illegal ammunition, as adjusted in Law No. 1 of 2023 on the Criminal Code, specifically Articles 1 and 2. Through this enforcement, Jayapura Customs reaffirms its commitment to continuously enhancing surveillance in border areas to prevent various forms of violations and to strengthen synergy with law enforcement authorities in maintaining security and order in the border regions.