Military ammunition discovered in crackdown on terrorists
Oyos Saroso H.N., The Jakarta Post, Bandarlampung
A truck loaded with ammunition commonly used by the military has been detained by Lampung Police, who suspect a link to a terrorist group.
Police also found three kilograms of marijuana in the front compartment of the container truck, which they stopped on a southern Sumatra highway in Central Lampung during a regular check on Monday night. The truck, bearing Acehnese license plate number BL 8666 NB, was heading to Surabaya, East Java, from Lhokseumawe, Aceh.
The ammunition comprised 520 live bullets for M-16 semi- automatic assault rifles, 135 9mm live bullets, 14 magazines for M-16s, each containing 502 live bullets, two active grenades, a military knife, a matchstick rifle, a holster bearing a military logo and a journal with a military logo on the cover.
Central Lampung Police station chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Juni said investigators were questioning the truck driver, Rissi Darkasi, and looking for two passengers, identified as Zainal and Udin, who escaped arrest.
"There is a possibility that he (Darkasi) is linked to a terrorist group that plans acts of terror in the country," Juni said.
The most recent bomb attack in the country took place in the small Central Sulawesi town of Tentena last month, killing 21. Police suspected a terrorist group was behind the blasts.
During questioning, Darkasi said he was delivering home appliances and furniture for CV Mulia Baru in Lhokseumawe to Chief Sgt. Salin, a member of the Brawijaya Military Police overseeing East Java, as stated on its delivery order.
Terbanggi Besar Police chief First Insp. Eko M. Probo Cahyo said the officers conducting the check first discovered the marijuana. A further search, which Darkasi resisted, revealed the ammunition locked in green boxes in the container.
Darkasi said he was paid Rp 5 million (US$526) to drive the truck from Lhokseumawe to Jakarta only. The truck also carried five generators belonging to PT Daya Panasindo Teknik and toys and canned beverages ordered by Barona store, both in Surabaya.
The driver also claimed the marijuana belonged to Zainal, who had asked Darkasi to drop him in Jambi but eventually went all the way to Lampung.
Eko said his personnel frequently conducted night checks on motorists as part of efforts to curb crime and anticipate terror attacks in Central Lampung regency.
Indonesian police have warned of possible fresh terrorist attacks following the Tentena bombings. They have been hunting down Malaysian bombmakers Azahari bin Husin and Noordin Moh. Top, who are suspected of masterminding a spate of attacks in the country since the Bali blasts in 2002.