Police seize beer worth K380,000

A HIGHWAY checkpoint put up by Southern Highlands police, following a total ban on liquor operations in the province, is netting more than alcohol.
The roadblock, at Kaugel River on the border of Southern Highlands and Western Highlands, was set up two weeks ago to help police the liquor ban.
So far, police have confiscated 1,774 cartons of beer, seven cartons of rum, 40kg of marijuana and a number of illegal firearms.
At around 2.30am on Tuesday, a truck with 501 cartons of beer, six cartons of Goroka’s Liva Lave and a carton of dark rum, destined for Tari, was searched and its cargo confiscated.
On Wednesday, around 5.30 in the morning, 1,213 cartons of beer were confiscated from a six-tonne truck.
With a bottle of beer going at K9 in Tari, the beer confiscated would have fetched more than K383,000.
Eight men, believed to be from Mt Hagen, were arrested at the boom gate last weekend when police searched and found a 303 rifle, a loaded homemade pistol and several ammunition.
The eight told police they were taking the weapons to sell to a councillor in the Imbonggu district.
They were arrested and charged with being in possession of illegal firearms.
Last week, police confiscated 40kg of marijuana tightly packed inside plastic bags.
Police believed the drugs were destined for the remote regions in Gulf to be exchanged for firearms.
Provincial police commander Supt Teddy Tei said the roadblocks would remain and illegal dealers caught would be dealt with accordingly.
“Southern Highlands is not a dumping ground. 
“People involved in illegal trades should know that the roadblocks are manned 24 hours a day and police will always be there,” Tei warned.
The provincial government imposed and funded the liquor ban following an increase in alcohol-related law and order problems.
The ban would also ensure initial works on the LNG project were completed on time.