Police probing drug bust receive threats

POLICE officers investigating the K160 million drug bust have received threats from unknown persons as they continue their investigations, says acting Deputy Police Commissioner Operations Donald Yamasombi.
He said police were now also investigating the threats.
“We have received threats while investigating the cocaine saga and will ensure those involved are identified and dealt with according to law,” he said. Yamasombi said the investigations into the cocaine bust would continue.
“It only pushes us to find out more on what happened and to solve this case,” he said.
“I want to let the country know that we will not stop investigating the case.
“We will continue until we arrest those responsible for the movement of the drugs into PNG and out to Australia.”
He said it was a “tough case” because police officers were also alleged to be involved.
“However, we are looking at all angles.” Yamasombi said the 28 bags weighing around 23 kg each were being kept at an undisclosed location in PNG.
Three locals and two foreigners have already appeared in court over their alleged involvement.
Aircraft pilot David John Cutmore and Italian yacht owner Carlo D’Attanasio are being held in a refugee detention centre. Locals Dominic Telauki Terupa, Morgan Mogu and Shane Dikana are remanded at the Bomana Correctional Centre.
Meanwhile, the bags of cocaine will be taken to Australia with Cutmore at the conclusion of his court case.
Police Commissioner David Manning said he had raised his concern with Police Minister Bryan Kramer and Prime Minister James Marape about keeping the cocaine in the country.