Jakarta – Security authorities confiscated hundreds of rounds of ammunition, explosive materials and several M-16 rifles from a ship which was attempting to dock at East Halmahera in the North Maluku province. The weapons and ammunition were seized from the motor boat Albatim which had traveled from Bitung in North Sulawesi to the Maba district, the capital of Central Halmahera.

Local police chief Supt. M. Luluhima confirmed the seizure and said that security authorities had detained six people for questioning in connection with the ownership of the weapons and ammunition. "We're questioning the ship's crew and according to them the weapons and ammunition were ordered by a local businessman," he said, adding that he had not received full details of the seizure as the military was still processing the information.