PNGCS officials attend management workshop

PAPUA New Guinea Customs Services (PNGCS) is taking rigorous steps to contain smuggling of contraband goods, illegal trade and human smuggling along international borders.
Commissioner of Customs, Gary Juffa, told The National yesterday, at the second joint PNG Customs Services and Canadian inter-agency border management workshop in Port Moresby that his agency was taking proactive measures along the borders to protect communities from document fraud and identity crimes.
Mr Juffa said it was of paramount importance that the sovereignty of the nation, and its communities, be protected at all costs.
“To have a well secured community, concerted efforts are needed amongst law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders,” he said.
“Already my officers have been sent out to the international border areas to monitor and assist other inter-agencies such as the PNG Defence border patrol units.
Mr Juffa said the objective of the workshop was to enhance inter-agency cooperation of various law enforcement agencies to better protect the country’s land, sea and air borders.
The workshop was attended by representatives of Customs, Internal Revenue Commission, the airport, seaport and land border officials, police organised crime squad, transnational crime unit, Interpol, PNG financial intellectual unit and immigration and citizenship services.