Two business people arrested for alleged breach of SOE orders

TWO business people were arrested by Lae police this week for allegedly breaching state of emergency (SOE) orders on separate occasions, according to Lae Met Supt Chief Insp Chris Kunyanban.
“On Tuesday we arrested a male person of Asian origin at Eriku for allegedly having his gambling house open for public use,” Insp Kunyanban said.
The man was arrested, charged and is now out on a police bail of K5,000
Insp Kunyanban said another arrest made on Wednesday was that of a female, also Asian, for allegedly opening her pub to the public.
“We have on several occasions warned that particular lady about the SOE orders that are still in effect,” he said. Insp Kunyanban said at one point police tried to arrest 10 of her staff members for breaching SOE orders but allowed them a chance and issued warnings to abide by the law.
“Despite the many warnings given by police and the release of the staff members of that woman, she operated her pub again and claimed it as a restaurant,” he said.
Insp Kunyanban said police went in and arrested the woman on a complaint from Lae City Authority, saying the woman was actually opening a pub and not a restaurant as she had claimed.
The woman was charged and later released on police bail of K10,000.
He said the offenders would appear in court later.
Meanwhile, suspects in a murder case early last week at Waria Compound, Bumbu remain at large.
Insp Kunyanban said a suspect that was picked up last weekend was released from police custody after he was identified as not being a suspect.
“Several houses were burnt in retaliation but police were quick to intervene, resulting in the situation being normal but tense,” he added.