Police charge six with drug possession

National
David Yapu

POLICE in Manus have arrested and charged six people, including two married couples, with being in possession of marijuana, according to provincial commander Chief Insp David Yapu.
He said a 42-year-old from Rambutso Island, who had escaped from police custody earlier, was caught during a raid yesterday.
Chief Insp Yapu said police were given a tip-off about the whereabouts of the alleged drug dealer at Loniu village in the Los Negros local level government area.
He said police shot the suspect in the leg when he was trying to escape.
The suspect was being treated at the Lorengau General Hospital.
Chief Insp Yapu said the suspect was allegedly involved in drug activities in Lorengau town and was arrested for possession of marijuana and locked up.
“While he was in police custody, he bribed a policeman with money and was released and went into hiding,” he said.
“The policeman involved in the bribery and release of the suspect escaped to Port Moresby and has gone into hiding.”
Chief Insp Yapu said two couples and a man from Derembat village were also arrested for possession of drugs.
He said police raided Derembat and confiscated a large quantity of drugs believed to be transported into Manus via Madang by boat.
Chief Insp Yapu urged the communities on Manus to help police address the abuse of marijuana and homebrew besides law and order issues.