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POLICE believe the drug trade in
Daru, Western province, was widespread and even public servants were
involved in a town where law and order has broken down.
This came after the police drug squad in the Western province impounded
another dangerous drug shipment believed to be from the Highlands, and
arrested four people whom they believe to be members of organised group
involved in drug trade.
Police confiscated 2.5kg of marijuana from the four at Daru airport just
four days after 8kg of the drug was found on a woman on Aug 8.
National drug squad officers who have been in the province since last
month, claimed the marijuana confiscated could fetch up to K120,000 in
Australia and Indonesia, where they believe the cache of marijuana was
headed.
Det Sr Const Robert Wane said despite a crackdown by police, people did
not seem bothered.
Police charged a 46-year-old woman from Eastern Highlands, a 36-year-old
man from Anglimp in Western Highlands, a 26-year-old woman from Ialibu
in Southern Highlands, and a 36-year-old man from South Fly in Daru over
the drug bust. This brings the total number of people charged in
relation to marijuana possession to five.
But the five people have not been locked up in police cells because the
facility has deteriorated and is unfit for humans. They are being kept
at the Daru police station, and will be transferred to NCD.
Mr Wane also said the jail and the court house in Daru were in
disrepair, and their closure had created an environment for increased
law and order problems, including drug trafficking.
Investigations conducted so far also indicate that even public servants
were engaged in the drug trade.
Mr Wane said, the drug trade in Daru was widespread and it was affecting
public servants, school children and ordinary villagers.
 
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