Australianโข Men Charged in โขAlleged Firearms trafficking Linked โคto International Kidnapping Probe
SYDNEY โ- Australian authorities have โคcharged โseveral men with firearms trafficking offensesโ following an examination linked to the recent kidnapping of โa Newโ Zealand โman โขinโฃ Indonesia. The Australian Federal Police (AFP) โconfirmedโ the charges, statingโข they โare cracking down on the illegal movement of weaponsโ perhaps destined โคfor international groups.
The investigation, conducted in partnership with Queensland Police Service (QPS)โ and New zealand Police, revealed an alleged scheme to traffic firearms from Australia. AFP Assistant โฃCommissionerโ Stephen โNutt emphasized a “zero tolerance” โฃapproach to violenceโ and gun crime.
“Anyone involved in the traffickingโ of illegal weapons โขfromโค Australia with the intention of providing them into the โhands of โคinternational groups should be โคwarned – the AFP and our partners โขare dedicated toโข preventing the trafficking of illegal weapons,” he said.
QPSโข Acting Assistant Commissioner Heath โHutchings highlighted the collaborative nature of the operation. “This operation โsends a clear message: those who seek to profit from the illegalโฃ trafficking of firearms will be โฃidentified and prosecuted,” he โstated.
The investigation โunfolded alongsideโ efforts โขto secure the release โคof a New Zealand man who wasโฃ kidnapped in Papua, Indonesia. While the man has since been released and returned toโข his family, authorities continue to investigate the broader network.
New zealand Police Acting Deputy โขCommissioner โMike โคPannett acknowledged the complexity of the cross-border investigation and the value of internationalโค cooperation.โ “Working closely with โthe Australian police agencies isโฃ an crucial part ofโ protectingโค ourโค community โฃhere in New Zealand,”โ he said.
Authoritiesโข are urging anyone with facts regarding extremist activity or potential threats to contact the National Security Hotline at 1800 123 400.
The Indonesian provinces of West Papua โand papua, frequently enough collectively โฃreferred to asโค West Papua, areโ regions โof โongoing security concerns.