Search without warrant ‘an abuse’

By KARO JESSE
POLICE searches without an official search warrant are an abuse of human rights, says Magistrate Rosie Johnson.
The concern was raised in the Boroko District Court by Johnson yesterday after she discharged a man arrested by police for carrying a small quantity of marijuana.
She said there was a concern that people were being searched on suspicion by police in public areas and then arrested when illegal items such as drugs or weapons were found on them.
Johnson had to discharge the case because she found that the manner in which police arrested the man was inappropriate which the court viewed as an abuse of human rights and freedom of movement.
Malakai Stanley, 23, from Manabo, Abau, Central, was arrested on Christmas Day at the 6-Mile roundabout for allegedly carrying five K1 rolls of marijuana in his bag.
Stanley was travelling in a public motor vehicle en route to Abau when the truck was stopped by police at a road block.
Police forcefully searched Stanley and upon finding the drugs arrested him.
Johnson said before police could search a person there had to be formal complains laid or search warrant issued against the person.
“Anyone can be in possession of an illegal item but there are procedures to follow when dealing with people,” she said.
“When police searching people randomly it’s an abuse of human rights. The practise is that there has to be a formal complaint.”