Jakarta – Military police in the West Kalimantan capital of Pontianak raided a factory that was manufacturing firearms illegally and confiscated several long-barrelled rifles, ammunition and machines.

Major Agus Zulkarnain, commander of the Military Police unit in Sambas, said that since 1999 his personnel have raided many machinery and repair shops where poor-quality rifles were manufactured. But the guns seized on Friday were all of good quality, the Indonesian Observer quoted him as saying.

The owner of the factory, who has managed to avoid arrest, has been identified as Ruski. Police say he has made thousands of firearms and added that not only was Ruski's factory efficient, his system of delivery to Maluku and Aceh was also well-organised. Fearing the illegal weapons trade will lead to more crime and riots, police in West Kalimantan have frequently launched raids this year.