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Two Australian men have been charged with allegedly trafficking guns to a violent paramilitary group in Indonesia responsible for kidnapping a New Zealand pilot.
A joint taskforce — comprised of officers from the Australian Federal Police, ASIO, Queensland Police and New Zealand Police — was established after members of the National Liberation Army of West Papua kidnapped Phillip Mehrtens in the Indonesian province in February 2023.
Mehrtens was taken after landing a small aircraft at a remote airstrip at Paro Airport and held for 592 days before being released in September 2024.
The two-year investigation has now led to the arrest of a 64-year-old man from NSW and a 44-year-old man from Queensland.
Police allegedly found evidence linking the pair to the trafficking of guns from Australia to Indonesia.
“The use of these deadly and illegal weapons can have far-reaching consequences if they reach the wrong hands,” AFP Assistant Commissioner Stephen Nutt said.
Police will allege the men tried to traffic guns and ammunition to the National Liberation Army of West Papua, and discussed sourcing Australian military guns for the group.
The 64-year-old allegedly travelled to the province to meet with members of the group between March and April last year and allegedly took an optical rifle scope into Indonesia.
Police searched their homes in November and allegedly found several items, including ammunition and 13.6kg of mercury metal.
The 64-year-old was charged with exporting tier 2 goods, conspiracy to traffic prohibited firearms or firearm parts out of Australia, unlawful supply of weapons and possession of a controlled substance.
He is facing up to 55 years’ imprisonment.
The 44-year-old was charged with exporting tier 2 goods and possessing explosives without authority, which could see him jailed for almost 11 years.
The pair have appeared before court and have been granted bail to both face the Brisbane Magistrates Court on October 17.
“This was a complex investigation involving a number of jurisdictions and challenges, and our focus was always on the safe return of Philip Mehrtens,” New Zealand Police Acting Deputy Commissioner Mike Pannett said.
