Drug-trafficking case investigated: Wong

POLICE Minister Jelta Wong says there is an investigation into the drug-trafficking case reported in Milne Bay.
He said the investigation was being under taken by a joint task force between the Australian Federal Police, PNG police and PNG Customs.
“We found that the illegal substance was cocaine. They are still in the process of the investigation but I can tell that we are working together with all three agencies to get to the bottom of this,” Wong said.
Samarai-Murua MP Isi Henry Leonard said the provincial disaster office in Milne Bay had reported the entry of a foreign vessel into the waters of Budi Budi in April and May this year.
He said local fishermen found 11 bags of substance believed to be cocaine which the crew had left on the isolated island. The fishermen brought the bags back to the village.
“I have here with me a report compiled by the investigations officer with the PNG Customs office in Port Moresby. I believe that the PNG Defence and the PNG Constabulary and the Australian Federal Police were also involved. There is very little surveillance of the vast waters of Milne Bay province. This type of activity is frequent without any detection.”