Body search reveals meth

By GEORGINA KOREI
AN 18-year-old female suspect fainted in court on Monday after methamphetamine (crystal meth) was found on her during trial.
Cecilia Kumbakor, from Nuku in West Sepik, was charged with possessing crystal meth and its implements along with two other women-Maggie Kumb, 26, and Sophia Noria, 22 and a male offender, Issac Ipatas, 30.
Describing Monday’s unfolding scene in front of him, District Court magistrate Paul Puri Nii said this was the first-ever case in (PNG’s) history where an evidence of drug was found in the possession of a suspect inside the courtroom.
“The suspect was uneasy and moving around in the courtroom when the trial was going on, and her demeanor (behavior) was very suspicious,” Nii said.
The courtroom was packed with police officers during trial when Kumbakor dropped something from her possession.
Curious about what had fallen down from the courtroom dock where Kumbakor was standing, the magistrate ordered police to check the defendants, citing the threats of weapons being brought into the courtroom.
Upon searching, police found the methamphetamine bong and implements in Kumbakor’s possession.
She fainted, taken outside the courtroom and given water where she regained consciousness.
Before adjourning the matter to April 29, magistrate Nii also revoked bail for Kumbakor (for re-offending) and ordered that additional charges of being in possession of methamphetamine and its implements be slapped on all four suspects.
The four are represented by Emmanuel Ellison from the Public Solicitor’s Office, who has requested that the matter be deferred to later this month.
Outside court, case officer Insp Apollos Terry told The National that Kumbakor and her co-accused were remanded at the Boroko Police Station cells.
The suspects were allegedly caught with the illicit substance at a home at Vadavada settlement on Aug 9 last year.
A police search of the property revealed bongs and flasks used for consuming methamphetamine.