Authorities in Indonesia have arrested a man in North Jakarta for allegedly selling airsoft guns via social media.
Local police officer Faruk Rozi said a police cyber patrol team received information about the seller, who has been identified as Rachmat Norman Taufiq, 28, The Jakarta Post reported.
The police conducted a sting operation by placing an order for a colt defender style airsoft gun. A deal was agreed upon and the police suggested a time and place for the supposed transaction.
On January 21 at around 10pm, Taufiq showed up at Jalan Boulevard Bukit Gading Raya in Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta with the gun. Police officers immediately placed him under arrest. No documents permitting the possession of a firearm were found.
Airsoft guns, sometimes classified as toys but illegal in some countries including Indonesia, can be very difficult to distinguish from real weapons. Two 90 caliber 5 millimeter colt defender airguns, three 12-gram gas tubes and two boxes of bullets were seized in the police operation. Taufiq may be charged with illegal gun possession and may face a maximum penalty of 20 years’ imprisonment.