Gun smuggling attempt foiled

MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi (JP): The police foiled an attempt on Wednesday to smuggle arms into the restive regency of Poso at Soekarno-Hatta seaport, Makassar.

The police arrested a suspect identified as Are, 35, who was carrying two .45 caliber guns while he was disembarking from MS Lambelu at the port. The ship was on the way from Jakarta to Ambon.

Soekarno-Hatta port Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Kadarusman told newsmen that Are was nabbed while boarding a taxi.

Passengers through the Soekarno-Hatta port have been subject to physical checks since the outbreak of communal violence in Poso, Central Sulawesi.

Kadarusman said that attempts to smuggle arms to Poso had frequently occurred. (27)