Damai Cartenz Task Force Apprehends KKB Arms Supplier in Highland Papua
The Damai Cartroll Task Force (Satgas ODC) has successfully apprehended a man identified by the initials YK (52), who is strongly suspected of being a supplier of firearms and ammunition for the Armed Criminal Group (KKB) network in the Highland Papua region. YK was arrested without resistance at the Sarmi Central Market, Sarmi Regency, Papua, on Saturday (6/6) at approximately 13:16 WIT, after authorities tracked his presence at the location.
The Head of Public Relations for the Damai Cartenz Task Force, Kombes Yusuf Sutejo, explained that the arrest of YK is the result of an intensive investigation into the supply chain providing weapons to the KKB in the Yalimo and Yahukimo areas. The operation to dismantle this syndicate has been underway since March 2026. Since the law enforcement operation began, joint teams have been dismantling various components of this network, role by role.
“We have secured several individuals with varying roles within this syndicate, ranging from financiers and buyers to active ammunition providers and intermediaries or transaction brokers,” Yusuf stated in Jayapura, as reported by Antara on Sunday (7/6).
Based on investigative records, YK was known to have received one firearm along with ammunition documentation from a man with the initials B in early March at his residence in the Argapura area, Jayapura City. The weapons and bullets were subsequently moved to various parties to be transacted with the armed group led by Simeon Payage.
Following his arrest, YK was taken to the Sarmi Police Headquarters to undergo confrontational interrogation regarding further involvement with the separatist group. Officers also seized the suspect’s belongings, including a mobile phone, identity cards, bank cards, and cash, to investigate the flow of funds.
Data from the Damai Cartenz Task Force notes that as of early June 2026, a total of 12 individuals have been named as suspects in this firearms smuggling case. From the series of searches and enforcement actions conducted over the past few months, security forces have successfully seized several pieces of military evidence, including:
298 rounds of live ammunition.
4 magazines for SS1-type assault rifles.
1 improvised firearm.
6 firearm barrels from World War II, in a rusted condition without stocks.