Seven face court after crossing the border without documents

SEVEN border crossers from Indonesia will be appearing in court today charged with one count of illegally crossing into the country without valid papers, North Fly police commander Chief Insp Silva Sika says.
He told The National that the seven men would appear in the Kiunga district court.
He said three men who allegedly facilitated the arrival of the seven border crossers were helping police with their investigations.
The seven men from Indonesia were caught in PNG after allegedly crossing the border into the Ningerum local level government in North Fly last week.
Chief Insp Sika said the seven were staying with the acting Ningerum LLG manager and were here for alluvial mining near the Ok Tedi River.
He stated that the men were picked up by police when the Kiunga police headquarters was informed of them and their activities.
“The men crossed into Ningerum on Monday, there they brought with them machines to carry out alluvial activities at the LLG which is located down the river from the Ok Tedi mine,” Chief Insp Sika said.
“Their stay was allegedly facilitated by the acting LLG manager and two other ward members in the area.
“They did not have any proper documents in line with our immigration laws.
“They had arrived with only machines to do alluvial mining with the locals. “Police officers promptly apprehended the men and escorted them down to the Kiunga Police Station where they are undergoing interviews.
“As per the Covid-19 pandemic protocols in place, they have been placed in the cell and told to wear their mask at all times as we deal with them.”