2 Australians Charged With Firearms Trafficking Linked to Kidnapping of New Zealand Pilot

Two Australian men have been charged with allegedly trafficking firearms to the National Liberation Army of West Papua (TPNPB), a violent paramilitary group based in Indonesia.

The two-year investigation, which led to the arrests, was launched after members of the group kidnapped New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens in February 2023 on a remote airstrip in the Indonesian province of West Papua.

Mehrtens had flown a small commercial plane, owned by Susi Air, into a remote and militarised region of the Papuan highlands. The aircraft was carrying five passengers, including an infant, from Mozes Kilangin Airport in Mimika in Central Papua province to Paro Airport in Nduga, which has been an epicentre of the growing Papuan insurgency for independence from the Indonesian state.

Insurgents have been fighting Indonesian forces in West Papua since the region was absorbed by Indonesia after what independence activists say was a flawed U.N. referendum in 1969.

Sebby Sambom, a TPNPB spokesperson, said the group had released all five passengers but was holding Merthens and would kill him if its demands were not met.

“We want to convey that we have taken this pilot hostage and brought it to the TPNPB headquarters, which is far from the airfield area,” he said, adding that it had been carried out in retaliation for the support allegedly provided by Western nations to Indonesia’s security forces.

“This pilot is a citizen of New Zealand,” he added. “TPNPB considers New Zealand, Australia, Indonesia, America, Europe; all are responsible.”

Unsuccessful Rescue Mission

Indonesia mounted an unsuccessful rescue mission, resulting in at least six deaths, while the rebels captured another nine soldiers.

Eventually, after 594 days in captivity, he was released by the rebel group in September 2024 “to protect humanity and safeguard human rights.”

While he was still being held, the New Zealand Police, together with Queensland Joint Counter Terrorism Team—made up of Australian Federal Police (AFP), Queensland Police Service, and Australian Security Intelligence Organisation members—launched a joint investigation that uncovered evidence allegedly linking two men to the trafficking of firearms from Australia to Indonesia.

One is a 64-year-old from New South Wales (NSW) and the other a 44-year-old from Queensland.

Both men have been charged with conspiracy to export Tier 2 Goods—a category of prohibited items that includes various types of weapons—which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment.

The NSW man was also charged with conspiracy to traffic prohibited firearms or firearm parts out of Australia, which has a 20-year maximum sentence, unlawfully supplying weapons (10 years), and possessing a controlled substance (15 years).

The Queensland man has also been charged with possessing explosives.

Both have appeared before Magistrates’ Courts in their respective states and have been granted bail to appear at separate trials at a later date.

Police will allege the men attempted to traffic firearms and ammunition from Australia to the TPNPB and that they also discussed sourcing Australian military firearms for the paramilitary group.

Between March and April 2024, the NSW man travelled to Indonesia to meet with members of the TPNPB in West Papua and allegedly illegally transported an optical rifle scope into Indonesia.

Mercury Among Seized Items

Following extensive inquiries, investigators executed search warrants at the men’s homes in Urunga, NSW, and Eagleby, Queensland, in November 2024.

A number of items were seized, including 13.6 kilograms of mercury metal, which is a controlled substance, at the Urunga home.

AFP Assistant Commissioner Stephen Nutt said the AFP had zero tolerance for any form of violence or gun crime in any country.

“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.

“The AFP works closely with our international partners, including New Zealand Police, to protect the community by disrupting criminal syndicates and removing illegal firearms from the community.”

Queensland Police Service acting Assistant Commissioner Heath Hutchings said the operation “sends a clear message: those who seek to profit from the illegal trafficking of firearms will be identified and prosecuted.”

New Zealand Police acting Deputy Commissioner Mike Pannett said, “New Zealand Police worked closely with the joint counter terrorism team as we investigated the kidnapping of Phillip Mehrtens. This was a complex investigation involving a number of jurisdictions and challenges, and our focus was always on the safe return of Philip Mehrtens.

“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.”