Denpasar Police have detained a member of the military’s reserve component on suspicion of selling a handgun purchased several years ago for his work in the private security sector.
DENPASAR, Bali — A member of the Indonesian Army’s reserve force, known as Komcad, has been arrested in Bali on suspicion of illegally selling a firearm, police announced Monday. The case involves a SIG Sauer pistol and underscores ongoing concerns over the circulation of weapons outside official channels.
The suspect, identified as Akhmad Solleh Ricardo, 33, originally from Lampung, was apprehended by Denpasar Police. According to authorities, the firearm in question was a product of the renowned SIG Sauer arms manufacturer, a collaboration between Swiss and German firms.
“The suspect previously had five rounds of ammunition. However, one bullet had been used to test the firearm in an empty field. So now the evidence is four rounds of ammunition,” explained Kompol Agus Riwayanto Diputra, Head of Criminal Investigation at the Denpasar Police, during a press briefing.
A Purchase for “Personal Security”
Police stated that Ricardo, who had been living in Bali for approximately two years, purchased the pistol in 2022 for 2 million Indonesian Rupiah from an acquaintance. The motive, according to investigators, was linked to his employment.
“Because he worked for a private security service, he bought it to protect himself, for self-defense,” Agus said.
Authorities are now tracing the weapon’s origins and investigating whether others were involved in its potential illegal distribution. The suspect has been charged under Article 306 of the Indonesian Criminal Code related to illegal weapons and is being held at Denpasar Police headquarters.
Previous Confiscation and Legal Distinction
The arrest follows a related operation by a joint Indonesian Navy intelligence unit last week, which resulted in the seizure of the same pistol along with other items, including four 9mm rounds, a licensed soft gun (a replica or non-lethal firearm), multiple bank cards, and identification documents.
Police emphasized a critical legal distinction regarding the seized items. “For the record, the soft gun has complete permits and paperwork,” Agus clarified, indicating that the primary illegal item was the SIG Sauer handgun.
The case highlights the complex challenges of monitoring firearms in a region that, while known globally for its tranquility, is not immune to the illicit arms trade. For Bali’s international community, such incidents are a reminder of the strict regulations governing weapon possession in Indonesia and the serious legal consequences of violations.
Hey Bali News reports on law enforcement and security matters relevant to the island’s residents and visitors.
