Manus local level government manager accused of supplying and distributing homebrew

A LOCAL level government manager in Manus has been charged with supplying and distributing homebrew to youths in Lorengau town.
Manus provincial police commander Chief Inspector David Yapu said Nigoherm local level government president Andrian Umitel, 44, from Awin village, Kaeta Lemkie, 22, and Papi Maklin, 23, from Pion village were arrested in a dawn police raid.
Yapu said police on Manus and members of the mobile squad conducted the raid at two islands near Lorengau town last Wednesday.
They confiscated drugs and cash from the sales of drugs.
Maklin and Lemkie have been charged with being in possession of drugs.
All three are expected to appear in court tomorrow. Yapu said the two suspects were in custody while Umitel was allowed police bail.
Yapu urged government officers to stay away from illegal activities.
“We as government officials, we must uphold the rule of law and promote peace in our communities instead of involving in illicit activities,” he said.
“This is what we as public servants vowed to uphold. We must stick with serving the government and the people of this nation with proud and distinction.”
He thanked community leaders and citizens of Manus for assisting police by providing information to crack down on illegal activities.
He plans to take up the issue with the provincial administration and Manus governor.