Police in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State have blocked an ammunition smuggling attempt after seizing two sacks of AK-47 bullets at the Wau–Juba bus station in Aweil on Tuesday.
The ammunition was reportedly being transported to the capital, Juba.
State Police Spokesperson Madut Ngong Aleu said officers from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) uncovered the ammunition during a routine inspection of passenger buses.
“The CID discovered uncounted AK-47 bullets hidden in a bus traveling from Aweil to Juba,” Aleu told to local media.
He added “We are investigating the source of the ammunition and the intended buyers. All items, including the vehicle, are now part of the evidence.”
The police identified the suspects as Aguer Garang Bol, the driver of the bus, and Rieu Pioth Deng, the alleged owner of the ammunition. Both men are in custody as investigations continue.
Aleu described the incident as a serious threat to national security, warning that the illegal movement of weapons fuels instability and undermines peace efforts across the country.
The suspects are being charged under Section 72 of the Penal Code, which prohibits the possession of dangerous weapons.
The crime carries a maximum penalty of ten years imprisonment, a fine, or both.
This marks the latest in a string of similar incidents in the region. In August, a woman was apprehended in Tonj South County, Warrap State, for attempting to smuggle bullets from Northern Bahr el Ghazal to Tonj East County.
Madut urged civilians to remain vigilant and cooperate with law enforcement to combat the illicit arms trade.
“We call on all citizens to work with the police and security agencies to prevent such crimes,” he said. “Anyone found involved in these illegal activities will face the full force of the law.”
Police say investigations are ongoing to uncover the source and intended destination of the seized ammunition.
