SHP police detain 11 for smuggling

 ELEVEN people were arrested by police in Mendi, Southern Highlands, for allegedly smuggling alcohol into the province.

Provincial police commander Supt Kaiglo Ambane said  356 cartons of beer and 49 cartons of rum were confiscated in six separate occasions from last month  to last week.

Ambane said the Mendi district court last Tuesday fined one of the men involved K5,000 in default 12 months in jail for liquor smuggling.

An accomplice who was on a K1,000 bail failed to turn up in court and his money was forfeited together with the 70 cartons of beer to the state. A warrant of arrest was issued for the man believed to be in hiding in Jiwaka.

Ambane said another man was fined K1,000 for transporting 48 bottles of rum which were forfeited to the State. 

He said another man caught transporting 67 cartons of beer and a carton of dark rum was 

fined K5,000. His four friends travelling in the same vehicle were put on a 12-month good behavior bond.

“I want to commend the court for imposing tough penalties on people smuggling alcohol into the province,” he said.

He said the court rulings boosted the moral of police and sent out a warning to people engaged in the illegal business to stop.

He said his men would continue to crack down on the illegal sale of alcohol in the province.