Hearing for bail refused

By SYLVESTER WEMURU
THE Boroko district court on Friday refused to hear Sanctuary Hotel operations manager Jamie Pang’s application for bail because it must be filed three clear days before the hearing.
Magistrate Garry Unjo told Pang’s counsel that the bail application must be filed three clear days before the hearing day and not the same day as required by law.
Police prosecutor Sgt Holland also told the court that she had not received a copy of the bail application from the lawyer.
Sgt Holland asked the court to adjourn the bail application to today and the lawyer agreed.
Pang is facing two counts of charges under the PNG (DDA) Dangerous Drug Act 1951.
He had, on Nov 19, pleaded guilty to 11 counts, under the Firearms Act, three for possession of firearms without licence, two for possession of firearms and six charges for possession of ammunition for which sentencing will be on a later date.
The court also ordered that Pang be remanded in custody after he pleaded not guilty to both of his charges on Thursday.
Pang, 43, from Sydney, was charged with two counts of having in his possession drug and making drug on Dec 7.
On Nov 16, at about 6.30am, Pang was in his residence in the hotel when police and Customs officers, in a joint special operation called “Saki Bomb”, raided the hotel with a search warrant.
The team arrived at the hotel car park and identified Pang there where he was served with the search warrant.
He then accompanied the officers and found a mini clandestine laboratory used to produce dangerous drugs like Methamphetamine (meth).
The production was still in progress and Pang allegedly admitted that the dangerous drug producing laboratory inside the room and everything was his.
He said the team then cordoned off the room and called for drug experts from the police forensic team to investigate.
The search team found and seized four firearms in a black guitar bag and red cloth under a bed.
They also found 150g of white substance in a shipping container that was used as a tools and equipment storage shed. The white substance was concealed inside a clear plastic and placed in a white motorcycle helmet.