Nine people arrested for operating gambling machines

Main Stories

NINE people have been arrested and charged with illegally operating Hi-lo gambling machines in three Highlands provinces this week.
Three were arrested in Mt Hagen (Western Highlands), five in Kundiawa (Chimbu) and one in Banz (Jiwaka) yesterday.
National Gaming Control Board (NGCB) officers with the assistance of Mt Hagen-based police mobile squad members made the arrests yesterday and on Wednesday.
According to the NGCB, Hi-lo machines were declared unlawful on Feb 14, 2008. The board maintained that the gazettal notice was a valid declaration under section 5 (3) of Gaming Control Act 2007.
The NGCB and the police had conducted operations to curb the activity.
Individuals found organising, assisting or conducting the illegal activity could be fined K10,000 or imprisoned for a term not exceeding 12 month, or both.
On Tuesday, three people were arrested and charged. They will appear in court. Following that, six people, including one female, from Jiwaka, and five from Chimbu, including property owners, were arrested.
Following the arrest, the public and business houses were warned not to entertain or take part in any of the games as they would risk arrest.
Chimbu police commander Supt Jacob Singura said he had not been briefed on the arrest and he would comment once he had the detailed report.
However, in Jiwaka one suspect escaped but police managed to get hold of the machine and accessories used for Hi-lo and handed them over to Banz police yesterday.
Constable Simeon Niamini of Jiwaka police confirmed the arrest.
Niamini identified the female suspect from Kompiam, Enga as Jenny Paul.
Niamini said Paul was charged with operating an unlawful gambling machine.
She will appear at the Minj district court.