Australian men charged with allegedly trafficking firearms after international kidnapping investigation
By Anna Hartley Topic:Police 8h ago
In short:
Two Australian men have been charged with allegedly trafficking firearms to a paramilitary group in Indonesia.
The armed rebels kidnapped New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens in 2023, which sparked a two-year international investigation.
What's next?
A Queensland man and a New South Wales man are due to appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court on October 17 charged with multiple offences.
Two men have been charged after a two-year counter-terrorism investigation allegedly linked them to the trafficking of firearms and military-grade equipment from Australia to a violent paramilitary group in Indonesia.
It is alleged the men — one from Queensland and one from New South Wales — conspired to supply weapons and ammunition to the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB), the group behind the kidnapping of New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens.
Mr Mehrtens, who was captured in February 2023 after landing a small aircraft at West Papua's Paro Airport, was held hostage for 592 days before being released in September last year.
As part of the joint investigation into his kidnapping, Australian and New Zealand authorities uncovered evidence allegedly linking a 44-year-old man from Logan, south of Brisbane, and a 64-year-old man from Urunga on the NSW mid north coast, to arms trafficking activities.
The men face multiple charges, including conspiracy to export weapons and firearm parts, unlawful supply of weapons, and conspiracy to export Tier 2 goods, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years' imprisonment.
Men to appear in court in Brisbane
The international investigation was led by the Queensland Joint Counter Terrorism Team, which included the Australian Federal Police (AFP), Queensland Police Service (QPS), and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, in partnership with New Zealand Police.
The men were arrested following search warrants at their homes in November 2024, where authorities seized several items, including 13.6 kilograms of mercury metal, a controlled substance, from the Urunga property.
The Queensland man is also charged with possessing explosives without authority.
The NSW man is also facing charges of conspiracy to export weapons and firearm parts, unlawful supply of weapons, and possessing a controlled substance.
Both men have been granted bail and are due to appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court on October 17.
Group denies claims
Sebby Sambom, the spokesperson for the West Papua National Liberation Army, said the claims were "baseless".
"The TPNPB has never officially received weapons from Australian citizens," he said.
"And also, the TPNPB has a protocol at the National Command, so we at the Central Headquarters Management Control have never received any weapons from Australian citizens, so we consider these allegations baseless.
"We have no official knowledge of any weapons assistance from Australian citizens."
The TPNPB is the armed wing of the Free Papua movement, a separatist movement seeking to separate West Papua from Indonesia.
Mr Sambom said his group wanted "internation
Police warn against weapons trafficking
AFP Assistant Commissioner Stephen Nutt said the agency and its partners had "zero tolerance for any form of violence or gun crime".
"Anyone involved in the trafficking of illegal weapons from Australia with the intention of providing them into the hands of international groups should be warned — the AFP and our partners are dedicated to preventing the trafficking of illegal weapons," he said.
"The use of these deadly and illegal weapons can have far-reaching consequences if they reach the wrong hands."
QPS Acting Assistant Commissioner Heath Hutchings said the investigation highlighted the strength of local, national and international partnerships.
"This operation sends a clear message: those who seek to profit from the illegal trafficking of firearms will be identified and prosecuted," he said.
New Zealand Police Acting Deputy Commissioner Mike Pannett acknowledged the complexity of the cross-border investigation and the importance of cooperation.
"While we are pleased Mr Mehrtens was released and able to return to his family, working closely with the Australian police agencies is an important part of protecting our community here in New Zealand," he said.
Authorities have encouraged anyone with information about extremist activity or potential threats to contact the National Security Hotline on 1800 123 400.
Posted 8h ago8 hours ago, updated 12m ago
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