Joint Task Force Arrests Two Suspects in Ammunition Supply Network Linked to Armed Criminal Group in Waena; 19 People Detained

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JAYAPURA, PAPUA — A joint team from the Damai Cartenz Operation Task Force (Satgas ODC) and the Papua Regional Police (Polda Papua) has arrested two individuals suspected of involvement in a firearms and ammunition distribution network allegedly supplying an armed criminal group (KKB). The arrests took place in the Perumnas III residential area of Waena, Heram District, Jayapura City, on Thursday, October 15, 2026.

Head of Public Relations for the Damai Cartenz Operation Task Force, Police Commissioner Yusuf Sutejo, said the arrests of RS, 37, and SW, 33, were part of an ongoing investigation into the alleged circulation of firearms and ammunition. Both individuals were taken to Papua Regional Police headquarters for further questioning.

Investigation Leads to Two More Individuals

According to Yusuf, the arrests are connected to a police report dated March 13, 2026. Previously, on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, the joint team arrested an individual identified by the initials H, also known as IHB, in Padang Bulan, Heram District. Investigators subsequently expanded the inquiry to determine whether other individuals were involved in the network.

In this case, RS has reportedly been named a suspect and placed on the wanted list in connection with the investigation. SW, meanwhile, remains a witness. Both are suspected of having links as intermediaries within a network also associated with an individual identified as SP, who was arrested earlier. The legal status of each individual remains subject to the investigation and the evidence presented through the judicial process.

Police Seize Ammunition, an Airsoft Gun, and Other Evidence

During the arrests, officers seized one round of 9 mm ammunition, one airsoft gun, four bladed weapons, two laptops, 13 mobile phones, and one motorcycle. These items have been secured as evidence for further examination into the suspected distribution of firearms and ammunition.

Examining the seized items and relevant communications may help investigators trace connections between individuals, identify distribution patterns, and determine whether other parties may have been involved. However, the connection between each item and any alleged criminal activity must still be established through the legal process.

A Total of 19 People Arrested Since March

Yusuf stated that, as of the publication of the report, a total of 19 people had been arrested since March 2026 in connection with the investigation into the firearms and ammunition network. Of these, 13 cases had reached Phase II, involving the transfer of suspects and evidence to public prosecutors. Two others were at Phase I, while the remaining four individuals were still undergoing investigation.

These developments indicate that law enforcement efforts extend beyond arrests in the field to include investigative follow-up and subsequent legal proceedings. These stages are essential to ensuring that suspected criminal offenses are handled on the basis of evidence and in accordance with applicable laws.

Law Enforcement and Community Protection

Investigating the alleged firearms and ammunition distribution network is part of broader efforts by law enforcement to identify supply channels that could potentially support armed violence. In Papua, addressing such cases must go hand in hand with protecting local communities, maintaining security, and ensuring that education, economic activities, and public services can continue.

At the same time, transparent investigations and respect for the rights of every individual remain essential to accountable law enforcement. A person's guilt must be established through evidence and the judicial process, rather than solely on the basis of suspected involvement.

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