Charged over gun, uniforms

NINE people have been arrested and charged with possession of a rifle, ammunition and police and PNG Defence Force (PNGDF) uniforms in Southern Highlands.
Provincial police commander Chief Insp Daniel Yangen said the nine were arrested on July 20 and charged with two counts each under the Firearms Act and Summary Offences Act.
Yangen said their ages ranged from 19 to 45 years old and they were from the Nipa-Kutubu and Mendi-Munihu.
Police Mobile Squad and PNGDF members were on patrol along the Mendi-Nipa road when they came across a suspicious vehicle.
The security personnel intercepted the vehicle at Megi Hill and searched it.
They found a high-powered M16 rifle with fully loaded magazine and seven extra ammunition, police field uniform as well as PNG Defence Force camourflage uniform.
The nine were taken to Mendi, charged and locked up.
Yangen said according to the serial number obtained from the rifle, it was PNGDF-issued.
He said the nine were remanded at the Buiebi Prison in Southern Highlands, then Baisu Correctional Services in the Western Highlands.