Col. Osman Hassan "Afdalow," the new police commander in Bari region, told repoters that police units raided a location near the coast in the port city of Bossaso where they seized five speed-boats.
H e indicated that the police seized two vehicles at the scene.
"One of the vehicles was transporting gas for the speedboats and we found a rocket launcher in the second smaller vehicle," Col. Afdalow said.
Separately, Puntland police chief Col. Muse "Joqrafi" Ahmed told reporters that the police force has been conducting anti-piracy operations on land in recent weeks.
He stated that 15 men suspected of being involved in pirate attacks were arrested in Bossaso and will be brought to court soon, while noting that anti-piracy operations are taking place in many towns including Galkayo and Garowe, the capital of Puntland.
Dr. Abdirahman Mohamed "Farole," the president of Puntland, has vowed to fight against pirates on land and has appointed new police commanders after years of police corruption and ineffectiveness.
The police command has been centralized across Puntland and all police divisions now come under the authority and control of the police chief.
Since 2007, Puntland-based pirates have been responsible for maritime attacks on vessels using the important Gulf of Aden passageway into the Indian Ocean.