September 15, 2025 | 06:35 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Australian Federal Police (AFP) have arrested two men from New South Wales (NSW) and Queensland on charges of attempting to supply firearms to the Free Papua Movement’s armed wing, the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB-OPM).
AFP Assistant Commissioner Stephen Nutt said the agency takes arms smuggling to international groups very seriously.
“Anyone involved in the illegal arms trade from Australia with the intention of supplying them to international groups should be cautious,” Nutt said in a statement published on the AFP’s official website on Monday, September 15, 2025.
The arrests followed a joint investigation by the Queensland Joint Counter Terrorism Team (QLD JCTT), which includes the AFP, Queensland Police, the Australian Security Intelligence Organization (ASIO), and the New Zealand Police.
The probe began after the TPNPB kidnapped New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens in Paro, Papua, in February 2023.
Mehrtens was held captive for 592 days before his release in September 2024.
Police allege that the suspects, a 64-year-old from NSW and a 44-year-old from Queensland, attempted to smuggle firearms and ammunition from Australia to Indonesia.
Investigators also accuse them of discussing plans to obtain Australian military-grade weapons for the Papuan separatist group.
The NSW man faces four additional charges, including unlawful arms trading, illegal export of weapons equipment, and possession of 13.6 kilograms of mercury. He is also accused of smuggling rifle scopes to Papua during a trip in March-April 2024.
The Queensland man has been charged with possession of explosives without a permit. Both men are scheduled to appear before the Brisbane Magistrates Court on October 17, 2025.
Queensland Police Acting Assistant Commissioner Heath Hutchings highlighted the importance of international cooperation in tackling arms smuggling.
“This operation sends a clear message: those seeking to profit from the illegal arms trade will be identified and prosecuted,” Hutchings said.
In response, TPNPB spokesperson Sebby Sambom denied receiving weapons from Australians.
“The TPNPB at the national command has protocols. We at the Central Headquarters Management have never received weapons from Australian citizens. We consider the accusations unfounded because we have no official knowledge of any weapons assistance from Australian citizens,” Sebby stated.
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