Cop and wife caught in drug crackdown
By GABRIEL FITO
An auxiliary police officer and his wife have been arrested for allegedly being in possession of marijuana.
The couple are also being charged with cultivating the drug-plant.
Police in the East Sepik province began a crackdown on drugs and more than 130 marijuana plants were uprooted in Yangoru during a police raid.
The policeman, his wife and sister were arrested at their Singongu village last Monday by local police after a tip-off.
Yangoru rural police station commander Snr Sgt James Baugen told The National that in a special operation, which was launched at Sinongu and Simbomie villages on the same day, a total of 135 mature marijuana plants were uprooted with two people being arrested and charged.
Baugen said due to the appalling condition of the police cell at Yangoru, the suspects were transferred to Maprik police cells, where they will be in custody while awaiting court appearances.
Provincial police commander Chief Supt Leo Kabilo said he was concerned about the increase in cases of marijuana-related killings in the province.
Mr Kabilo said more than half of the killings, which police are now investigating are connected with marijuana abuse and the community should assist police in addressing this problem.
He said some years back, marijuana was only smuggled from the Highlands into East Sepik but now people are growing it everywhere,. making it impossible to stop, unless those in the community stand up and say no the cultivation, sale and possession of marijuana.
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