Bayu Marhaenjati, Jakarta – Police in Jakarta rounded up more than 300 people over the weekend in their latest wave of enforcement against street crime and other activities seen as public order disturbances.

Sr. Comr. Martinus Sitompus, a spokesman for the city police, said 354 people were arrested during the two-day "Operation Cempaka" and various contraband seized.

These included bladed weapons, 60 grams of marijuana, 147 bottles of alcoholic beverages, and illegal lottery tickets. Police also confiscated two cars and four motorcycles, as well as Rp 907,000 ($72) in cash.

Martinus said 31 of those arrested had been taken into custody to face criminal charges, while the rest were released after "guidance" – a euphemism for a stern warning.

The operation was the latest in a series of roundups that the Jakarta Police have carried out in the past week on those identified as "street thugs."

On Wednesday, police rounded up 809 people before letting most of them go without charge; the previous Saturday, 625 people were netted in citywide raids.

The police operations seem to be aimed at activities on the streets widely seen by Jakartans as a public nuisance. Such activities range from robbery and extortion to public intoxication and pickpocketing, but also include begging and playing music on public transportation, which on rare occasions can take the form of more or less aggressive panhandling.

Source: http://thejakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/news/354-suspected-thugs-rounded-latest-jakarta-street-raids/