Denpasar, Bali (ANTARA) - A joint team from Indonesia’s Eastern Fleet Command V and the Bali naval base uncovered an alleged illegal firearms sale in Denpasar, arresting a suspect as part of efforts to curb weapons trafficking on the island.Bali Naval Base Spokesperson Captain Eko Mey said officers detained a suspect identified as ASR, 33, a private security employee registered as a reserve military component member.
He said the suspect was arrested after authorities received intelligence linking him to a network involved in distributing illegal firearms in the Bali region.
Eko said ASR was detained at a roadside food stall in Padang Sambian, West Denpasar, on Thursday, Jan. 22, following surveillance by the joint team. The suspect, a native of Bandar Lampung, was taken into custody after officers confirmed information regarding his alleged role in the illicit weapons network.
Officers arrested ASR without resistance while he was preparing to eat at the food stall, Eko said.
The operation was the result of early detection and sustained monitoring aimed at preventing security threats that could disrupt public order in Bali, he added. Seized evidence included a homemade Sig Sauer-type handgun, four rounds of 9 mm live ammunition and one soft gun, according to the navy.
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Authorities also confiscated reserve component insignia, several ATM cards from different banks and an iPhone 13 Pro Max belonging to the suspect. On Friday, Jan. 23, the suspect and evidence were handed over to South Denpasar police for further legal processing.
The transfer was carried out by Bali naval base officials, represented by executive officer Major I Nyoman Astawa Yasa, to South Denpasar police Chief Adjunct Commissioner Agus Adi Apriyoga.
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The Bali naval base commander said the handover reflected strong coordination between the navy and police in enforcing the law and combating illegal firearms circulation. He said further legal proceedings are now fully under police authority in accordance with applicable regulations.
The navy urged personnel and the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to security authorities to help maintain a safe environment. The directive follows an order from Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Muhammad Ali to strengthen cooperation against security threats.