Policemen, civilians arrested

By SYLVESTER WEMURU
FOUR Port Moresby-based policemen and three civilians were arrested for marijuana trafficking, possession and illegal use of motor vehicle.
Gulf police commander Supt Mariah Johns said the suspects were arrested by mobile squad 4 policemen deployed to Kerema on Nov 12.
She said policemen were setting up a road-block at about 6pm on Nov 10 on the Trans Highway near the Alika Swamp when a policeman sighted a vehicle occupied by the suspects.
The vehicle passed the checkpoint and headed towards Port Moresby.
“An hour later, a vehicle that was stopped by the police at the checkpoint informed that the vehicle that the policemen were in had suspicious people,” Supt Johns said.
“They were believed to be smuggling drugs.
“Police units quickly notified the water police in Port Moresby who responded and set up a road-block at Sabusa on the same highway and the vehicle was stopped at the check-point.”
Supt Johns said mobile squad 4 members arrived to inspect the vehicle and were surprised to find all policemen were in their field gear uniform and were armed with two high-powered guns, a pistol grip pump action shotgun and a Mossberg pump action shotgun, both loaded.
The three civilians were Port Moresby-based resident, from Hela’s Tari.
Supt Johns said police searched the vehicle and seized freshly packed marijuana and the firearms.
“The vehicle was taken to Kerema and it was discovered that the vehicle had a plate number that did not match the registration sticker,” she said.
“They all were arrested and charged accordingly.
“We are still investigating.”