Pang pleads not guilty

SANCTUARY Hotel operations manager Jamie Pang pleaded not guilty to possession of and making dangerous drug in the Boroko District Court on Friday.
Magistrate Gary Unjo told the court that Pang was charged with possessing methamphetamine and the evidence was crucial.
“We are viewing and confirming evidence that this substance is methamphetamine and how it has been processed to become methamphetamine is not clear to the court,” he said.
Magistrate Unjo said he was aware that the methane was there but the defendant was charged with possessing dangerous drug therefore, this process should be tested to confirm if it produces methamphetamine.
Prosecutor Sandra Holland told Magistrate Unjo that those who were able to use the equipment did not appear before the court and asked for adjournment.
Magistrate Unjo told Holland that they should be well and ready for what the court required of them.
“Doubt is for everyone, Pang was charged with possessing dangerous drug and so we had to use the equipment using the same process to come up with the same substance as alleged against the defendant,” he said. Holland asked if the court could adjourn for the equipment to be tested by the expert witness.
However, Magistrate Unjo replied questioning if the court had the power to ask for more witnesses when the limit was already set?”
He said evidence was already put to the court and the court would not entertain any more evidence.
On Nov 16, between 6am and noon, Papua New Guinea Customs and police led a team to the hotel and carried out a search in targeted areas using a search warrant.
Police alleged that a laboratory was used to produce the methamphetamine and some methamphetamine was found in room 314 of the hotel.
It was alleged that during the search, Pang was apologetic and said the alleged items were not his.
Methamphetamine was exhibited and then removed from the scene.
It was later tested by Customs facilities and allegedly resulted positive for methamphetamine.
Pang was later taken to the Boroko Police Station where he was charged.
Magistrate Unjo adjourned the case to Thursday for a no-case submission by Pang’s lawyers.
Pang’s bail was extended.