REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAYAPURA -- Security officers at Sentani Airport seized 146 munitions of various calibers from a smuggler headed to Pirime in Lanny Jaya District.

The officers caught the smuggler, identified as TW, when he checked in at Sentani Airport on Sunday, October 12.

According to the Head of Papua Regional Police, Inspector General Yootje Mende, the police believe that TW was supplying the weapons to armed groups that are led by Puron Wenda and Enden Wanimbo, which are supposedly low on arms.

"We believe that the munitions were meant for armed groups in Pirime Village," the inspector general said here on Tuesday.

He added that TW tried to escape but was caught and arrested by the officers, who seized all 146 munitions hidden among his clothes in his "noken" bag.

The police chief revealed that they were aware that the armed groups had low stock of ammo because there had been no recent reports of separatist activity in the area.

"When they have weapons, they frequently disturb people and security officers," Mende noted.

He further said that they had inspected vehicles in the area to prevent any such delivery of weapons, and had tightened security measures to crack down on their distribution to the separatists.

The police chief also stated that both leaders of the separatists were in the Pirime region.