Police erred, charges dropped

The National Main Stories

A COURT has dismissed the charges against three men under the Customs Act because police have no powers to charge them under that legislation.
Magistrate Dessie Kaputin Magaru dismissed the charges against Dominic Telauki Terupo, Morgan Mogu and Shane Dikana who still have to defend themselves on Nov 17 against charges of money laundering and terrorist financing.
The three, implicated in the K160 million drug bust outside Port Moresby in July, argued that police could not charge them with offences under the Customs Act because it was outside their jurisdiction.
A court had earlier dismissed similar charges against an Australian pilot and an Italian yacht owner.
Prosecutor Boas Binuali withdrew the charges of aiding and abetting and conveying smuggled goods under the Customs Act.
Attorney-General Davis Steven and Police Minister Bryan Kramer did not respond to questions sent by The National yesterday on why police had charged the five of them with offences under the Customs Act. A lawyer representing Dikana said outside court that all charges under the Customs Act had been withdrawn.
“They are all left with one charge each under the criminal code where police have to come up with a hand-up brief.
“That will be heard at the committal court for mention,” he said.

13 comments

  • Police are just too incompetent to perform simple prosecutorial job. How can one not differentiate what and where his or her powers are or lie when it is your bread and butter. The stupidity of recruiting kinsman years back is catching up with people of no qualifications now in key areas after being in the force over time. Police manpower is lacking in intelligence but full of bullies and gun totting renegades that must be looked into very seriously by the government to better police the country in the coming years. We need smart people in the force not unwanted, illiterate dropouts with no sense of civil service.

  • Common sense should speak for it self…we should be real nationalistic minded….now where is the next step??

  • Its now time for Customs to take up the case, guys. Police need to go for refresher courses on legal matters, especially those involved in prosecution. Its not over yet!

  • This is a sad state for PNG,how can our Laws be defeated by criminals,we have been independent for 45 donkeys years and our state police should have been in a better position to handle this issue.

  • Is this take back PNG? How on Earth can this be? How can the charges be dropped? It doesn’t come down well with us the people of this nation?

  • The police officers should be well equipment with the knowledge of the laws of this country and the acts of government institutions set rules and regulations. It sounds like our policemen lack the knowledge. Hire University graduands to take up policemen than the lousy grade 10 dropouts.

  • So Mr Judge, now you allow customs to do what ever they want.Next you will see 1 billion drugs loaded with ship from Lae to Moresby.

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