Taskforce team detains 20

**The Immigration and Citizenship Authority taskforce team conducting spot check of a foreign-owned retail and wholesale business over the weekend. – Picture supplied**

TWENTY foreigners have been detained by the Immigration and Citizenship Authority (PNGICA) taskforce team in Kimbe, West New Britain, after discrepancies were found with their entry permits.
The immigration spot checks targeting 14 foreign-owned retail and wholesale businesses were carried out over the weekend with the support of PNG Customs and Police.
Chief Migration Officer Stanis Hulahau told The National that from the 20, 11 were penalised under the Migration Act.
“Ten were penalised for having discrepancies and breaching of their visa conditions,” he said.
“They were fined K5,000 with one fined K10,000.
“A total of K60,000 in migration service fees and charges were raised in the Immigration revenue account.
“The team moved from Kimbe to Morokea and on to Hoskins.”
Hulahau said some retail and wholesale businesses were non-compliant and it was concerning.
“Conducting spot check operations that are intelligence-led and driven in West New Britain, including other provinces, is important for PNGICA and the Government to ensure foreign nationals conducting business in our country are compliant with the migration laws and working within the confines of the PNG legal system,” he said.
“West New Britain makes significant contributions to Government revenue through agricultural industries and logging and it is one way we can give back to the province by ensuring foreign-owned businesses are compliant.”