Seven fined for illegal entry in drug case

SEVEN foreigners implicated in the discovery of drugs on an island in Milne Bay have been fined K5000 and K3000 for illegally entering the country.
They are awaiting the Alotau District Court’s ruling on the charge of being in possession of drugs.
The six men of Asian origin and one European were found on Budibudi Island in the Samarai-Murua district in May.
For the charge of illegal entry, the court fined the person believed to be the captain of the boat they arrived in K5000, in default six months imprisonment.
The other six were fined K3000, in default four months imprisonment.
They all have been remanded in custody.
According to information from the Alotau District Court, the seven have denied the charge of being in possession of drugs. The drugs have been sent to Australia for testing. The matter has been adjourned to Aug 20 to await the report from Australia.
Meanwhile in Port Moresby, police said a woman and two men were arrested at a lodge after substances alleged to be drugs were found on them.
Police led by Senior Sergeant Terry Apollos conducted the search on Thursday August 2 at the lodge and seized substances claimed to be drugs.
They were taken to the Gordon police station where they were charged with being in possession of dangerous drugs. Metropolitan Superintendent Perou N’dranou said the substance was being tested to see if it is a drug and police were waiting for the results.