The investigation that eventually revealed a network that was giving illegal guns to armed separatist groups in Papua did not start with one big event. Instead, it grew slowly over time as detectives pieced together bits of information from a number of events that happened in the area.
Some of those events included attacks on civilians and workers in remote areas. Others had to do with finding guns that were thought to have been used by armed groups in the mountains of Papua.
As investigators looked at reports from different places, they started to see a pattern. The weapons found in several incidents seemed to have come from outside the area, which suggests that there is a supply chain working behind the scenes.
For the next few weeks, police quietly worked to find out where those weapons came from. Eventually, their work led to the discovery of a network that was thought to be buying and selling guns and ammunition to members of the armed separatist group known as the West Papua National Liberation Army, or TPNPB OPM.
The public was told about the investigation’s findings by Commissioner Yusuf Sutejo, who is in charge of public relations for the Cartenz Peace Task Force.
Sutejo says that the arrests and evidence gathered during the operation are an important step toward making it harder for armed groups to get the supplies they need to carry out violent attacks.
Early Clues From Previous Incidents
The investigation picked up speed after several violent events were reported in different parts of Papua in early 2026.
Security officials said that in several cases, armed people used guns and bullets that were not likely to have come from the area.
Investigators began examining the weapons found in these cases, comparing their serial numbers, ammunition types, and other forensic information.
These tests led to the conclusion that the guns may have been bought through illegal networks that operate outside of the immediate conflict zones.
At the same time, intelligence officers heard reports of strange behavior by people who were thought to be involved in buying weapons.
Some of these events are said to have occurred in early March 2026, when police began monitoring communications they believed were related to efforts to obtain guns and ammunition.
Arrests in Jayapura and Nabire
During the week of March 10 to March 12, 2026, the investigation hit a key moment when officers from the Cartenz Peace Task Force worked together in a number of places.
On March 10-11, 2026, police arrested five people in Nabire, the capital of Papua Tengah (Central Papua) Province. Authorities thought these people might have been involved in planning and communicating about weapons deals with TPNPB OPM led by Aibon Kogoya in Intan Jaya, Puncak and Puncak Jaya Regency.
One of the suspects admitted to selling around 100 rounds of ammunition to the other suspect for around Rp 250,000 per round of ammunition. The transaction was allegedly conducted through an intermediary, who is suspected of providing the ammunition.
Two days later, on March 12, 2026, police did more work in Jayapura City and Jayapura Regency, the capital of Papua Province. During these raids, officers arrested eight people who they thought were connected to the same network.
Investigators think these people helped buy, move, or organize guns and ammunition that were ultimately given to members of TPNPB OPM in Yahukimo and Yalimo.
The authorities secured a number of pieces of evidence in the form of one long-barreled homemade firearm, 298 rounds of ammunition of various calibers, five magazine guns, several mobile phones, and identity documents suspected of being related to the perpetrator’s activities.
Evidence Collected During the Operation
Police officers took a number of things they thought were linked to the illegal weapons network during the arrests.
Some of the evidence found included guns, bullets, cell phones, and papers that were thought to have records of transactions.
Investigators also got their hands on digital communication devices that might have messages about getting weapons.
Now, forensic teams are looking into these things to find out how the network worked and who else might have been involved.
Officials think that the evidence could show more connections between the suspects and the people who carried out attacks in Papua.
Thirteen People Detained During Investigation
Five people have been officially named as suspects, but authorities said that the larger investigation led to the arrest of thirteen people in just one week.
Some of the people who were arrested were let go after being questioned because investigators found that their involvement was limited or not related to the weapons supply chain.
Authorities are still looking into some people as they look over financial records, communication data, and other evidence.
Commissioner Yusuf Sutejo says that the investigation is still going on and may lead to more arrests in the future.
Disrupting the Weapons Supply Chain
The Cartenz Peace Task Force, a joint security unit set up by the Indonesian government to deal with armed violence in Papua, carried out the operation.
The task force is made up of people from different law enforcement agencies and works in several provinces in the area.
One of its main goals is to break up the supply chains that armed groups use to get weapons and other supplies.
Sutejo says that stopping these supply chains is necessary to make it harder for armed groups to carry out attacks.
He said, “If the flow of guns and ammunition can be stopped, armed groups will also be less able to do their jobs.”
The Impact of Armed Violence on Communities
In the last few years, armed violence has affected a number of districts in Papua.
Attacks have sometimes been aimed at civilian workers who are working on infrastructure projects. In other cases, events have made it hard for people to get around or put local communities in danger.
When these kinds of attacks happen, life in nearby villages can be very hard.
People who live there might not want to travel between communities. Farmers might not want to work in fields that are far from villages. Schools may close for a short time because of safety issues.
So, stopping the flow of illegal weapons into war zones is seen as a very important step toward protecting civilians.
How Weapons Enter the Region
One of the hardest parts of the investigation is figuring out how guns get into Papua.
Indonesia has strict rules about who can own guns. Law enforcement and some licensed security personnel are usually the only ones who can legally own a weapon.
Because of this, armed groups almost always get their weapons through illegal means.
Investigators think that some guns may have come from underground markets or been smuggled in from other areas through middlemen.
The network that was found during the recent operation is thought to have helped make these deals happen.
Authorities are now trying to find out if the suspects were part of bigger networks that deal in weapons on a national or international level.
The Importance of Public Cooperation
Commissioner Yusuf Sutejo emphasized that community cooperation remains essential for preventing illegal weapons trafficking.
In many investigations, early information from residents has helped authorities identify suspicious activities.
Members of the public are encouraged to report unusual transactions, unfamiliar individuals carrying weapons, or other suspicious behavior to local authorities.
Such information can help investigators identify illegal supply routes before weapons reach armed groups.
Continuing the Investigation
The arrests are a big step forward, but the investigation into the illegal arms network is still continuing.
Police are still looking at the evidence they gathered during the operation. Digital communication records and financial activities may show that more people are part of the network.
Officials have said that further arrests are still possible as new information comes to light.
One of the most essential things the Cartenz Peace Task Force does to keep Papua safe is break up networks that supply illegal guns and ammunition.
Toward Greater Stability
Papua is a region known for its rich cultural traditions and extraordinary natural landscapes.
At the same time, it faces security challenges that require cooperation between communities, government institutions, and law enforcement agencies.
The discovery of the illegal weapons network highlights how violence in conflict areas often depends on hidden logistical systems that operate far from the public eye.
By uncovering and dismantling these systems, authorities hope to reduce the resources available to armed groups and prevent future attacks.
For communities across Papua, the goal remains simple.
A region where families can live safely, children can attend school without fear, and villages can carry out their daily activities in peace.
The quiet work of investigators tracing the path of illegal weapons may not always attract attention, but for many residents it represents an important step toward a more stable future.