Illegal weapons seized in 'Sapu jagat' operation

JAKARTA (JP): Police have confiscated 16 firearms, 25 sharp weapons and 355 rounds of ammunition during two searches, code- named Sapu Jagat and Brantas Jaya 2001, that were conducted over the past two days, an officer said on Monday.

City police chief Insp. Gen. Sofjan Jacoeb told a media briefing that the seizures were made during separate searches conducted in South Jakarta, Central Jakarta, West Jakarta, North Jakarta, Bekasi and Depok.

"The sapu jagat operation proved that prohibited firearms are scattered throughout Jakarta. We are following leads to find out who are the suppliers of the weapons," Sofjan said.

The police said the raids were carried out on motorists and in private homes after receiving information from the public about the possibility of firearms in the area.

Seven people were named suspects for the possession of prohibited firearms, the two-star general said.

Of the suspects, one was identified as 33-year-old Chief Pvt. Heri Purnama. The former member of the Bandung-based Army Strategic Reserves Command (Kostrad) was arrested for possession of a Smith and Wesson pistol with live ammunition in West Jakarta.

Heri has been allegedly absent from the army for three years and is being held at West Jakarta Police station for questioning.

Another suspect, 42-year-old businessman Wibijanto, was arrested following a raid at the latter's residence in Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta, during which police seized an automatic Scorpion rifle, a revolver, a Remington gun and 50 rounds of ammunition.

Police said during the raid that Wibijanto failed to show a license for his collection of weapons.

Police seized an FNC rifle from suspect Ronover Arvian Pardede, alias Coky, a resident of Jl. Mesjid, Bendungan Hilir, Central Jakarta.

"To develop our ongoing operation, we have coordinated with the customs and excise office and the port and airport authorities in a bid to prevent the illegal entry of imported weapons into Jakarta," Sofjan said.

During the Brantas Jaya operation, police arrested 26 suspects for offenses committed on public transportation and confiscated six homemade guns and 25 sharp weapons.

"The suspects were mostly caught in the act, and four of them were shot for resisting arrest," Sofjan said.

In addition to the two operations, police also launched a raid to enforce traffic regulations, code-named Zebra Jaya 2001.

The traffic operation was carried out in traffic congested areas, such as Jl. Gatot Subroto in South Jakarta, Jl. Sudirman in South Jakarta, Jl. Kramat Raya in Central Jakarta, Jl. Margonda Raya in Depok and Jl. Letjen S. Parman in West Jakarta.

Sofjan said that 812 people were given tickets over the past two days.

Four hundred and twelve motorcyclists were ticketed for not wearing helmets, 320 people for not carrying complete vehicle registration and 72 others for violating traffic signs.

"We will continue our operations and we apologize if they cause any inconvenience to motorists or motorcyclists, but this is in everyone's best interest," Sofjan said. (emf)