Jayapura – Task Force Operation Peace Cartenz 2026 together with the Papua Regional Police successfully uncovered a network involved in the purchase and distribution of firearms and ammunition allegedly intended for an armed criminal group operating in the Yalimo and Yahukimo areas.
During a law enforcement operation conducted on Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Jayapura City and Jayapura Regency, officers secured eight individuals suspected of being involved in the network. Authorities also confiscated several pieces of evidence, including a homemade long-barrel firearm, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, magazines, and other items related to the suspects’ activities.
The disclosure was the result of an intensive investigation by security forces into the circulation of illegal firearms suspected of being supplied to armed groups in the mountainous regions of Papua. Of the eight individuals detained, five were officially named as suspects following a case review held on March 13, 2026.
The five suspects are SP (38), who acted as the individual responsible for searching for and purchasing homemade firearms and ammunition. Another suspect, OB (22) alias Bakuru, was identified as a financial contributor for the purchase of homemade firearms and ammunition, providing approximately IDR 122 million.
In addition, YP (35) contributed around IDR 13 million for the purchase of ammunition. Meanwhile, M-K-M (39) played a role in assisting the delivery process and facilitating meetings between buyers and sellers of homemade firearms, and DK (35) acted as an intermediary in the firearms and ammunition transactions.
The other three individuals who were initially detained are currently classified as witnesses while investigators continue to examine their roles.
From the operation, authorities secured several items of evidence, including one homemade long-barrel firearm, 298 rounds of ammunition of various calibers, five firearm magazines, several mobile phones, bags, and identification documents suspected to be connected to the suspects’ activities.
Preliminary investigation results indicate that the firearms and ammunition were intended to be distributed to armed criminal groups operating in Yalimo and Yahukimo in order to strengthen their weaponry.
The suspects reportedly used a modus operandi in which several individuals from the mountainous regions were sent to Jayapura to search for networks or parties capable of supplying firearms and ammunition. Funds were then collected jointly to purchase the weapons, which were later intended to be transported back to the group’s operational areas.
Head Of Public Relation of Task Force Operation Peace Cartenz 2026, Cheif Commissioner of Police Yusuf Sutejo, emphasized that authorities will continue developing the case to uncover a wider network.
“Task Force Operation Peace Cartenz will continue to develop this case to uncover a broader network, including tracing the sources of illegal firearms and ammunition entering Papua. This effort is aimed at cutting off the supply chain of weapons to armed criminal groups,” said Yusuf to journalists on Saturday (March 14, 2026).
Meanwhile, Head of Peace Operation Cartenz 2026, Brigadier General of Police Dr. Faizal Ramadhani, urged the public not to engage in illegal activities that could endanger public security.
“We urge the public not to get involved in illegal activities such as the trade of firearms and ammunition, as such actions can have serious consequences for public security and order,” he stated.
On the other hand, the Deputy Head of Peace Operation Cartenz 2026, Cheif Commissioner of Police Adarma Sinaga, also called on the community to actively assist security forces in preventing the circulation of illegal weapons.
“We invite the public to cooperate with security forces by providing information if they are aware of any suspicious activities related to illegal firearms circulation,” he said.
At present, the Task Force Operation Peace Cartenz team is continuing to develop the investigation to uncover a wider network. Authorities are also pursuing other individuals suspected of acting as suppliers or providers of firearms, including one person whose identity has been identified and is believed to play an important role within the network.
