Men get no leniency for smuggling

The National National

THE Vanimo District Court has rejected an appeal for leniency and sentenced four men for smuggling and harbouring Indonesians who illegally harvested bêche-de-mer (sea cucumbers) in West Sepik, Magistrate Sasa Inkung says.
The harvested bêche-de-mer were destined for markets in Jayapura, Papua province, Indonesia.
Inkung said that the court sentenced them to a total of 15 years in default of a fine of K30,000 for breaching the National Fisheries Act .
The court sentenced Raymond Kapor, 50, from Angel Island, Aitape, West Sepik, to three years in default of a K6,000 fine for helping five Indonesians to harvest 14kg of bêche-de-mer between April 28 and May 30.
“Kapor appealed for leniency saying that he was a first time offender but the court rejected it to show other people not to bring in foreigners to exploit natural resources illegally,” Inkung said.
He said the five Indonesians, who were Kapor’s co-accused, were sentenced last month for illegally harvesting these bêche-de-mer.
“They (Indonesians) have already left for Indonesia after paying a total fine of K30,000 in default of a total of 30 years in prison.”
Inkung said Freddy Waromin, 38, and Soleman Waromin, 23, from Hamati, Papua, and Okto Fianus Anakai, 54, Levi Laie, 38, and Heber Soruh, 36, all from Nusa Tengara, Timor, have left for Indonesia after paying their fine after being convicted for harvesting bêche-de-mer.
The group’s equipment and catch was forfeited to the State.
Inkung also said that the court sentenced an Indonesian and two West Sepik men for a total of 12 years in default of a total fine of K24,000 for harvesting bêche-de-mer near Yako village in Vanimo.
Septel Hababut, 30, from Engross village, Jayapura, Papua, with two Warapu villagers from Aitape, Dennis Merne, 26, and Manuel Morik, 26, were sentenced to four years each in default of K8,000 each.
Inkung said the three accused appealed for leniency as first time offenders but the court rejected their pleas; their catch of bêche-de-mer as well as their dinghy and outboard motor were forfeited to the State.