Two tons of explosives seized

Two tons of explosives seized

JAKARTA (JP): Police confiscated more than two tons of illegal
explosives in a month-long operation in Parung Panjang Bogor, and
arrested two stone quarriers and a chemical distributor.

The National Police Detectives Chief Brig. Gen. Rusdihardjo
said yesterday police have arrested Al, 30, As, 31, and Hu, 39,
for illegal possession of the explosives.

"We will take the suspects to court as soon as we finish our
investigation," Rusdihardjo said.

He said Al was arrested in December while he was making
explosives and As and Hu were arrested as they were buying
explosives two months ago.

He said when the police found that many stone quarriers used
illegal home-made explosives instead of those sold by the
licensed companies PT Dahana and PT Multi Nitrotama Kimia they
revoked the quarriers' permit to use explosives in their work.

On Monday more than 360 quarriers from Lebak Wangi village
protested at National Police Headquarters the withdrawal of their
permits to buy explosives for their business.

The miners, from Mandiri Serbaguna cooperative, denied using
illegal explosives. They said members of the cooperative did not
use the home-made explosives, it was other individuals.

The police promised to reissue the permit as soon as the
cooperative's management applied for a new one. (jun/04)