Two brothers jailed

TWO brothers were sentenced to a total of four years and six months for possessing firearms, live ammunitions and drugs along the PNG-Australian maritime border, Daru Magistrate Gami Madu says.
Dagai Sine Bani, 36, and Tore Sinai Bani, 25, both from Buzi village in Western, about 6km from Boigu Island, North Queensland, were also fined a total of K4,000 for being in possession of live ammunition. Each brother was sentenced to six months for being in possession of a dangerous drugs and eight months each for being in possession of high powered firearms and seven months each for being in possession of live ammunition.
Madu said failure to pay K2,000 fined for each brother would result in eight months in jail.
South Fly police commander Supt Brian Kombe said the brothers were suspected of being part of an international drugs and arms smuggling syndicate.
“Police on special operation raided Buzi village and arrested the brothers,” he said.
“Both are married with a total of seven children.
“We raided their houses and confiscated a .308 Winchester rifle, .22 rifles, mark 4 riffle and a civil long barrel rifle.
“We also confiscated the ammunition.
“We believe that these riffles were bound for the Highlands.”
Kombe said his men raided and uprooted the suspects’ marijuana gardens as well.
He said the marijuana would be destined for Australia in exchange for firearms which are sold to buyers in the Highlands.