Police seize drugs, arms

By CLIFFORD FAIPARIK
POLICE believe they have cracked an international drug and arms smuggling syndicate by arresting two brothers at a village in Western along the Australian-PNG maritime border, South Fly police commander Supt Brian Kombe says.
“We have also uprooted marijuana plantations and confiscated four high-powered weapons with ammunition at Buzi village, which is about 6km from Boigu Island in North Queensland,” he told The National.
“We also have leads so we will soon raid other suspicious areas along the border that facilitate transnational criminal activities.
“We are working closely with Australian police to crack down on this syndicate.”
Kombe said police on special operation raided Buzi and arrested the brothers. “Both are married with a total of seven children,” he said.
“We raided their houses and confiscated a 308 Winchester rifle, .22 rifles, a Mark-4 rifle and a civil long-barrel rifle and ammunitions for these rifles.
“We believe that these rifles and ammunition were bound for Highlands.”
Kombe said they raided and uprooted marijuana gardens.
“This marijuana is believed to be destined for the Australian drug markets in exchange for firearms,” he said.
The marijuana, firearms, ammunition and the suspects were taken to Daru.
“We have remanded them after charging them with possession of drug and unlicensed firearms,” Kombe said.
“They are expected to appear in court next week.”