Jakarta, ThedailyID — Police arrested a Portuguese national at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali after airport security officers found 50 rounds of live ammunition inside his backpack.
The suspect, identified as ACRD, 47, was preparing to board a flight to Abu Dhabi on Saturday night when Aviation Security (Avsec) officers stopped him during routine screening.
First, officers spotted a suspicious object while scanning his backpack with an X-ray machine. They then searched the bag after receiving the passenger’s permission.
During the inspection, officers found 50 rounds of .22 Long Rifle ammunition. The bullets remained inside their original black box, wrapped in white tissue, and stored in a black backpack.
Afterward, officers handed the suspect and the evidence to Bali Airport Police for further investigation.
Bali Airport Police spokesperson Ipda I Gede Suka Artana said ACRD admitted the ammunition belonged to him during questioning.
The suspect told investigators he is an active member of a shooting sports federation in Portugal. He claimed he accidentally left the ammunition inside a backpack that he regularly uses for shooting practice.
However, he admitted he did not realize the bullets remained in the bag before traveling overseas.
Police also confirmed that ACRD did not possess any Indonesian permits or official documents allowing him to own, store, or transport ammunition inside the country.
Authorities continue investigating the case to determine whether they will file additional charges against the Portuguese national.
