Weapons confiscated in police operation

JAKARTA (JP): In the first two weeks of a special operation, the Jakarta Police have confiscated some 78 firearms and hundreds of sharp weapons and bullets.

Jakarta Police spokesman Supt. Nur Usman said on Wednesday that during the operation, code-named Sapu Jaya Mandiri, the police also arrested seven people, mainly in Central Jakarta, for the illegal possession of weapons and explosive devices.

"We will investigate further the network of illegal weapons and explosive devices," said Nur Usman, adding that most of the permits for the firearms had expired.

The operation, which is taking place from Oct. 1 to Oct. 31, was undertaken in response to what was seen as declining security in the city, particularly in the wake of a series of explosions. In the most serious incident, 11 people died and 30 others were injured in a blast at the Jakarta Stock Exchange building on Sept. 13.

Central Jakarta Police chief of detectives Sr. Insp. Hendra Suhartiyono said his officers had confiscated a revolver and 15 sharp weapons, including sickles, machetes, swords and daggers.

He said among those people arrested during the operation were students involved in brawls.

In the latest raid, police confiscated thousands of firecrackers from an auto repair shop on Jl. Bekasi Timur, Jatinegara, East Jakarta, on Monday.

East Jakarta Police chief of detective Sr. Insp. Agus Irianto said police traced the firecrackers from vendors at Jatinegara market, who said they obtained the firecrackers from the auto repair shop.

Agus said the police were still investigating the case.

Police initially charged the suspects with violating Emergency Law No. 51/1951 on the illegal possession of firearms, which carries a maximum punishment of 20 years in prison. (07)