The Marine Police and Air Corps, Baharkam Polri together with the Polairud Directorate of the West Papua Police have successfully arrested seven fishermen suspected of using bombs while catching fish in the Sele Strait, Sorong Regency, West Papua, last Saturday (30/7/2022).

From the arrests, the police secured dozens of ready-to-use fish bombs that had not yet been used. In addition, the police also seized an outboard motor, a compressor for diving and diving goggles.

The head of the West Papua Regional Police, Inspector General of Police Daniel Tahi Monang Silitonga told reporters that the seven fishermen were arrested by patrol officers when they were about to detonate a bomb to catch fish. When the police patrol boat approached the perpetrators, they immediately threw the bombs into the sea to trick the officers.

At that time, officers approached the fishing boat to conduct a search. The police found evidence in the form of dozens of fish bombs.

“There is a ship that passes by and is carrying out activities. After the approach, the ship ran and threw away some objects. After being picked up and taken by our members, it turned out that it was a detonator and other explosives had dissolved into the water and could not be secured," said Silitonga in a press statement to reporters in Sorong, Wednesday (3/8/2022).

The seven fishermen from Buton, Southeast Sulawesi are currently undergoing intensive examination at the Polairud Directorate of the West Papua Police. The seven fishermen have been named as suspects. Where the seven fishermen are currently languishing in the police prison.

They were charged with the Emergency Law No. 12 of 1952 and Law No. 17 of 1948 with threats of 20 years in prison up to the death penalty.