Police suspect drug network

The National Main Stories
Part of the 450kg of marijuana. – Pictures supplied

By REBECCA KUKU
THREE policemen have been arrested as detectives try to expose and stop a drug (marijuana) smuggling operation involving local cops along the Hiritano Highway, according to a senior officer.
Police director of crimes Joel Simatab said a team of investigators had been sent to Gulf and Central to get to the bottom of it.
It follows the arrest of a regular policeman from Bereina in Central and two others serving in the police reserve unit along the Hiritano Highway.
Police found 450kg of marijuana and two unregistered guns in the vehicle they were in.
They were travelling to Port Moresby.
“We have set up roadblocks along (the border of) Gulf and Eastern Highland (EHP).
“We believe the drugs are coming from Obura-Wonenara (in EHP),” he said.
“We believe some local police may be involved as well and that’s why the team is in Gulf investigating.”
Gulf provincial police commander Jeffrey Lemb told The National in August that police had received a tip-off about the illegal operation and set up check-points near the Apanaipi Bridge.
The three were caught at the Ipakota market along the highway.
“The three policemen were in a white (vehicle) normally used by Bereina police,” Lemb said.
He said drug smuggling from the Highlands region to Port Moresby was a major challenge for police in Gulf.
The drugs are transported through Gulf into Central then to Port Moresby.
“(We arrested) seven men carrying 50kg of marijuana in Kerema,” he said.
The six men and one woman were from Marawaka in EHP.
Lemb said in a separate incident, Gulf police received a tip-off that two Route 600 trucks were transporting marijuana. Police found 80kg of marijuana in one truck.
“Three suspects from Hela including the driver and crew were arrested,” he said.
Lemb believes that the “well-organised drug smuggling ring” had been operating for years.
“Gulf Police (relies on) tip-offs from the public to intercept some. But we believe more are being transported down the highway on a daily basis and smuggled into Port Moresby,” he said.
Lemb said a well-planned police operation was needed to expose and stop the drug smuggling activity in the province.
“It will need effort, time, manpower, resources and funds to put a stop marijuana being smuggled into the National Capital District where it is destroying many young lives,” he said.