Danlanud Merauke, Colonel (PNB) Awang Kurniawan, in a press conference – Jubi/Frans L Kobun
Jayapura, Jubi – Papua Provincial Government highlights elements of security forces in Papua who allegedly masterminded the sale of liquor
(alcohol), although there are regulations that prohibit the circulation or sale of alcoholic beverages (minol).
“Both the regional head and the TNI/Polri officers, have agreed to sign the integrity pact of the ban on sales and circulation of minol,” said Papua Governor Lukas Enembe in his speech during the inauguration of the Regent of Puncak Jaya, 7 December, in Mulia, Puncak Jaya.
Governor Enembe said recently there was a Hercules aircraft belonging to the Air Force which brought in minol of type vodka to Jayawijaya
Regency. “They do not seem to agree with the regulations set for banning minol, so who sells theminol: TNI, Police or businessman?” remarked Governor Enembe in his speech in front of the inaugurating attendees, including representatives of the police and TNI.
On the occasion, Governor Enembe asked the regent and deputy regent to tighten security at a number of entrances such as airports, to the
districts and villages to prevent people from circulated minol.
He asked the security forces in charge onthe Land of Papua to not make money by selling minol which potentially killing the indigenous Papuans.
“Therefore, I ask Pak Dandim Puncak Jaya for helping to supervise. If there are members who sell alcohol, do not (assigned) them here,” said
Governor Enembe.
Governor reminded that there had been a plane that fell for carrying minol. “We still remember the incidents of Polri’s plane crash at Gunung
Kembu, it brought with them alcohol, so this should not happen again,” he said.
Merauke Air Force Commander: we have checked the buckets
Separately, Merauke Air Force Commander, Colonel (PNB) Awang Kurniawan, confirmed that his members have been working maximally while 32 bucket of paint containing 900 bottles of vodka alcoholic beverage (minol) packed into Hercules aircraft at Mopah Airport on 29 November
2017.
“Before the paints being ship in, they were first quarantined and checked. So, we are basically did not miss anything. Next, we will use electronic detection tool to track. Our members have worked optimally,” said Danlanud, on Friday (December 8).
It is said, electronic devices are difficult to detect dozens of paint cans because they were packed very neat. Where, the label of the paint
is arranged as such to prevent damage. So all of them passed and managed to ride in Hercules and flight to Wamena Jayawijaya Regency.
Danlanud also denied the involvement of its members in smuggling hundreds of vodka bottles to Wamena. “We have checked our members who served at Mopah Airport at the time and they did not involve,” he said.
He admitted that this was the first incident where Hercules hauls hundreds of vodka alcoholic drinks. “It was the first time. It has never been happen before,” he said.
He admitted that dozens of those buckets were taken in by some people and deposited at the airport before boarding the plane. “We took the identity of the sender as well as stated,” he said.
Previously, Merauke Police Criminal Cops, Adjunct Police Commissioner (AKP) Muchsit Sefian, said that three smugglers of hundreds of bottles
of vodka to Wamena with initials ST, ER, and SE have been detained by the Air Force.(tabloidjbi.com/Zely)
