State asked to verify drug’s value

THE National Court has questioned the State about the value of the cocaine that Australian pilot David John Cutmore was accused of transporting.
Judge Theresa Berrigan raised this when State lawyer Helen Rolakana presented Cutmore’s charge in court yesterday.
Cutmore, from Melbourne, Australia, was accused of transporting Papua New Guinea’s largest haul of cocaine that weighed 611.1kg, on an airplane that landed on an airstrip at LeaLea in Central on July 26, 2020.
“What is the value of the cocaine? Do you have any to assist the court?” Judge Berrigan asked.
The court tasked the State to verify the monetary value of the cocaine.
Judge Berrigan also asked whether the receiving of cocaine was considered a crime in the country.
Both State and defence counsels clarified that under the Dangerous Drugs Act, cocaine was classified as a dangerous drug.
Cutmore’s lawyer Friedrich Kirriwom said outside of court that the court was concerned that the State’s charge did not indicate the value of the cocaine.
Kirriwom said the cocaine weighed 611.1kg, however, the monetary value was not known.
“This is because it is very relevant when it comes to penalty: higher the value may result in a higher penalty,”he said.
“So that is something that the State is tasked with.
“The judge is also concerned about the criminal conduct.
“Whether it was the receiving of the cocaine or the conspiracy with somebody in Australia to import that cocaine.
“Are they charging Cutmore on the receiving of cocaine or the importation of cocaine?
“Just by receiving cocaine here, has he committed a criminal act?”