Bayu Marhaenjati & Priska Sari Pratiwi, Jakarta – Over 600 people identified by police as "thugs" were arrested on Saturday night in a Jakarta-wide operation against street crime.

Guns, sharp weapons, drugs and liquor were confiscated during the operation, which lasted from 9 p.m. on Saturday until 2:15 a.m. on Sunday, said Sr. Comr. Martinus Sitompul of the Jakarta Police. "A total of 625 people were apprehended during this operation," Martinus said.

Throughout Jakarta and the neighboring cities of Depok and Bekasi – both in West Java – people were arrested for such offenses as using narcotics, gambling, fighting, theft, illegal possesion of weapons, and running illegal street parking operations, the police spokesman said.

It was not immediately clear on Sunday how many people would face charges and how many were still being held.

In East Jakarta, more than 80 "thugs" and street children were picked up, East Jakarta Police spokesman Comr. Sri Bhayakari said on Sunday. Some were found to be carrying sharp weapons or in possession of alcoholic beverages. A total of 388 bottles of liquor were confiscated, Sri said.

"Those street kids and thugs who were not carrying sharp weapons will be registered and given guidance by social institutions, so that they stop causing trouble for society," the East Jakarta Police spokesman said, adding however that not all were in possession of identity cards (KTP).

Source: http://thejakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/news/jakarta/600-arrested-city-wide-crackdown-crime/