Two men caught with illegal guns

JAKARTA (JP): Two men have been detained for recent firearms offenses, the police have announced.

The first suspect, Edi Suhendar, 32, was caught red-handed in a room at Hotel Sofyan in Tebet, South Jakarta, last Friday while trying to sell a 38-mm Colt and six bullets for Rp 15 million (US$1,150) to a plainclothes officer, city police spokesman Lt. Col. E. Aritonang said Monday.

"We've received tips that he had been involved in a series of illegal gun transactions," Aritonang said.

During questioning, Edi said he obtained the pistol from a gun broker named Dani, 40.

"He said he bought the gun for only Rp 1.5 million with seven bullets, one of which he used to test the weapon," Aritonang explained.

Dani is still at large.

The second suspect, Amir Machmud Syarifuddin, 49, was handcuffed at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport with a 9-mm P.A. Knall gun plus 25 bullets last Tuesday shortly after his arrival from Germany.

According to deputy National Police spokesman, Col. Bambang Haryoko, Amir's gun was spotted in his bag when it went through the X-ray scanner.

"He said he acquired the gun in Germany," Bambang said.

Both cases are still under investigation.

Thousands of city residents, mostly of Chinese descent, have reportedly bought guns for self-defense following the mid-May riots. (edt)