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)