Homebrew, marijuana problems soar

HOMEBREW and marijuana-related problems at the border of Chimbu and Western Highlands are getting out of hand, police have reported.
Provincial police commander Supt Joseph Tondop said on Monday that the Mindima section of the Highlands Highway in Kundiawa district to Kuglbal at the border of Chimbu and Western Highlands were problem areas.
Tondop said despite many attempts by police to address the problem, leaders were not cooperating with them.
He said people living along the road especially at Mindima, Mingende, Waigar, Koronigle and Kuglbagl were still drinking homebrew, smoking marijuana and engaged in all sorts of illegal activities.
He said police would not give up and he was planning another major awareness on drugs which the police would carry out in the province and also look into these areas.
He said in order to minimise law and order problems along Mindima and Kuglbagl section of the road he needs the cooperation of elected leaders including councillors, village court magistrates, churches and community leaders.
He said as soon as police had sufficient information, they would move in, conduct raids and apprehend those engaged in illegal activities and maintain order.