Juffa: Border response units are a success

THE recent establishment of the PNG Border Response Units (PNGBRU) nationwide are producing results, says Customs Commissioner Garry Juffa.
He said officers were already intercepting illegal migrants and picking up illegal goods coming into the country.
However, he said, customs still needed specialist equipment like scanners and X-ray machines to detect  firearms.
He said a canine unit would help in detecting drugs that were being smuggled into the country.
“We are embarking on a vigorous training regime to ensure world standard practices are maintained in border surveillance and security,”  Mr Juffa said after launching the Customs Services Corporate Plan yesterday.
The plan is a nationwide awareness programme to educate the public to help report instances of illegal entry.
Awareness brochures, pamphlets, newsletters and public forums will be held using existing State agencies, institutions and corporate venues.
“Already, maritime patrols are in progress conducting border surveillance and more is to come,” he said.
World class security enforcement agencies abroad are already offering training to officers to improve joint-agency operations with State departments like Labour and Employment, Immigration, Police, Defence, NIO and others.
In an effort to address transnational crime, the customs legislation would be reviewed for heavier penalties and custodial sentences on smugglers, he said.
“My primary focus is to modernise PNGCS to be better prepare to secure and protect our community,” he said.