Firecrackers seized

Firecrackers seized

MADIUN, East Java: Police have seized thousands of
firecrackers from a house thanks to a tip from local people.

Madiun Police Chief Lt. Col. Abdul Madjid said that a 17-year
old boy who lived in the house was arrested. A police hunt for
his mother, believed to head the operation, has been launched.

Abdul said the boy had admitted to having helped his mother
produce the firecrackers. He added that the police are
investigating the possibility that the production is part of a
larger syndicate, Antara reported.

Police are intensifying their operation to clamp down on
firecrackers which find their way to the markets during Ramadhan
although they are outlawed.

In Semarang, the city police have also launched a major
operation against firecrackers and joyriders who roam the streets
in the wee hours.

Police are deploying 200 officers to patrol the streets,
Semarang Police Chief Col. Adang Rismanto said. (emb)