19-8-2023 (JAKARTA) The Metro Jaya Regional Police in Jakarta have apprehended three police officers suspected of participating in the illicit sale of firearms. The officers allegedly converted air rifles, commonly known as airsoft guns, into functioning firearms and sold them. However, the police have denied any connections between the arrested officers and terrorist networks.
In a statement on Friday (18/8/2023) in Jakarta, Commissioner Hengki Haryadi, the Director of General Crime Investigation (Direskrimum) of Jakarta Metropolitan Police, confirmed the arrests of the three policemen involved in the illegal firearms trade. The individuals are Brigadier Chief Reynaldi Prakoso from Direskrimum of Jakarta Metropolitan Police, Inspector First Muhamad Yudi Saputra from the North Bekasi Police Criminal Investigation Unit, and Detective Second Grade Syarif Muhsin from the West Java Police Criminal Investigation Unit.
“Reynaldi and Yudi, the two officers from Jakarta Metro Police, are currently detained for further investigation, while Syarif’s examination is ongoing at the West Java Police headquarters.”
Hengki refrained from disclosing additional details about the case due to the ongoing operation to eradicate illegal firearms. However, he clarified that the three individuals arrested had no connection to the terrorism suspect DE, who was apprehended by the Special Detachment 88 Antiterrorism on Monday (14/8/2023) in Bekasi, West Java.
The investigation into the illegal firearms case began when the police and the Army Military Police Center discovered the use of counterfeit Army membership cards and Ministry of Defense cards to obtain weapons unlawfully. As a result of the investigation, law enforcement officials seized 38 illegal firearms. Hengki addressed the circulation of misinformation claiming that the arrested police officers were involved in a terrorist network. He emphasized that the arrests were related to the illegal sale of firearms and had no connection to the Bekasi arrest. He also stated that information regarding other suspects involved in the firearms case could not be released at this time due to the ongoing operation.
During the operation, the Metro Jaya Regional Police arrested a suspect engaged in selling modified firearms in Semarang, Central Java. A total of 18 illegal firearms were confiscated.
The suspect had the ability to convert airsoft guns into functioning firearms. The weapons were then sold in market shops under the guise of “airsoft guns.”
Hengki acknowledged that the terrorist suspect DE, who was previously arrested, had purchased weapons from the suspect. However, the individual responsible for manufacturing illegal firearms is not connected to terrorism and only acted as an online weapons seller. “The operation to eradicate illegal weapons was initiated by us long before DE’s arrest. The suspect is a repeat offender and has been previously arrested for the same offense. The seller and buyer never met,” Hengki stated.
Hengki specifically addressed the news regarding Iptu Muhamad Yudi Saputra’s alleged role as a supplier of weapons to the terrorism suspect DE. He clarified that the weapons seller to DE was a civilian, not a police officer. Although he did not provide further details, he mentioned that the individual involved in selling the weapons had been apprehended. The police also confiscated factory-made weapons, including FNC long barrel rifles and G2 Combat pistols.
To combat the widespread circulation of illegal weapons both offline and online, the Metro Jaya Regional Police has established a special task force dedicated to its eradication. Additionally, coordination with the Densus Antiteror 88 unit continues to be strengthened.
“I want to emphasize that we are only investigating cases outside of terrorist networks. Cases related to the illegal sale of firearms to terrorist networks fall under the authority of Densus (Antiterror) 88. The suspect who sold weapons to DE is a civilian and has been arrested. I cannot disclose their name as I am not a police officer,” Hengki clarified.
Commissioner Trunoyudho, the Head of Public Relations of Jakarta Metropolitan Police, added that the arrested police officers in this case had no connection to the suspect DE, as they had never met. He expressed regret over the dissemination of false information regarding police involvement in terrorist networks, as it can cause confusion among the public.
The investigation into the illegal firearms case is ongoing and involves coordination with other relevant parties. “This is just the initial phase of the process, and it is part of an ongoing case. We are awaiting the results from the investigators. The sale of illegal weapons related to terrorist networks is not within our jurisdiction,” Trunoyudho concluded.
