Officer arrested in alcohol drive

 A POLICEMAN attached with Mt Hagen police, in Western Highlands, was caught early on Tuesday trying to smuggle alcohol into Enga.

Provincial police commander acting Supt George Kakas said yesterday the police officer was brought into Wabag and charged with transporting liquor into the province under the Provincial Liquor Licencing Act of 2003.

Kakas said he was released on K500 court bail and his case was pending in the Wabag District Court.

He said 28 cartons of beer that were confiscated were locked up in the Wabag police station and would be used for court exhibits.

“I want to warn the general public and policemen and women that the alcohol ban imposed by the provincial government is still effective in the province,” Kakas said.

He said that any member of the police force in the province or outside trying to smuggle alcohol into Enga using their positions as police officers would face the full force of the law.

He said police must not allow anyone to transport banned goods into the province because they were not helping the provincial government, state and the people.

“I want to warn other people planning to smuggle liquor into the province to think twice before doing their plans,” he said.

Meanwhile, 200 cartons of beer and 20 cartons of rum were confiscated in the last three weeks when police start manning the check-point.

Kakas said that 10 people were arrested and charged and their cases still pending at the district court.

He said policemen would continue to check people and vehicles travelling into the province for liquor, weapons and drugs.