Police seize air rifles at North Coast roadblock

 By DOROTHY MARK 
Madang police confiscated four air rifles from an East Sepik man at a roadblock at Talidig in North Coast yesterday.
The man, Lucas Mambo, from Maramba village in Angoram, said the rifles were bought in Vanimo for shooting birds and he brought one each for his in-laws at Halopa in Madang.
Jason Bogg, an auxiliary policeman stationed at Talidig police checkpoint said Mambo took off by foot along the beach towards Malolo Hotel while he was searching his bag.
Bogg said he informed the rest of his workmates and they went after Mambo and caught him and took him with the rifles to Jomba police station in town where he was locked up.
Police officer-in-charge rural command Anton Michael said police confiscated 25  packets of bullets for the rifles.
“The rifles can kill a man within three to five metres,” Michael said.
He said the suspect was charged with unlicensed arm dealing and possession of offensive weapons and ammunitions.
Michael said the air rifles could be for shooting birds but were dangerous because they could hurt or kill a person at close range.