Marijuana smuggling via air service rampant

 SMUGGLING of marijuana to Port Moresby via air services has been a common practice for some people from Eastern Highlands, police say.

Suspects have been nabbed red-handed at times and security guards keep a close eye on people arriving from Goroka. 

Recently a suspect from Eastern Highlands managed to escape the security check at Goroka Airport with 30kg of marijuana but was apprehended on arrival at Port Moresby’s Jackson Airport.

Gordon Police Station commander Inspector Mark Mosinakave confirmed the arrest of the suspect.

Mosinakave said the suspect was in the police custody and he would be charged after further investigations by the Criminal Investigation Division.

He claimed that there was a network of airport personnel in Goroka and Port Moresby involved. 

He alleged that a porter at Jackson Airport fetched the bag of marijuana from the plane and escorted the suspect out without a proper check.

“The porter was paid K700 by the suspect,” police claimed.

Mosinakave said the porter would be questioned and charged. 

He said every piece of cargo leaving every port in PNG should be thoroughly checked by security.

He urged every law-abiding citizen to work  with the police and report any illegal activity such as smuggling of drugs to the police.