On the contrary, the reason for this kind of arrest is usually a military paranoia over the import of military equipment.
You may not take them seriously as a technological country, but such arrests indicate that the army is worried about the smuggling of military tech and has power to enforce checks.
If they're arresting people for even a $20 component/tool, then it stands to reason that they are more authoritarian and vigilant; not less of a threat or incompetent!
You can be both vigilant and incompetent. For example, when you're being extremely vigilant over civilians noticing a glaring weak point instead of fixing it.
You may not take them seriously as a technological country, but such arrests indicate that the army is worried about the smuggling of military tech and has power to enforce checks.