Two men accused of possessing weapons

TWO men charged with being in possession of dangerous weapons and ammunition were arraigned in the Lae District Court on Monday.
John Paul, 21, from Nawaeb’s Wangkos villages in Morobe pleaded guilty while Thurston Wesley from Nawai’s Kasnumbe village in Morobe pleaded not guilty before Magistrate Jacinta Doa.
The court noted that Paul pleaded guilty, had admitted to his crime and was a first time offender and was therefore fined for K500 each charge.
Magistrate Doa warned him that if he could not pay his fines he would serve six months in prison.
The court adjourned Wesley’s case after he entered a not guilty plea.
His trial will be on Sept 5.
He was released on a court bail of K1,500.
Court documents allege that the two men were arrested following a raid at a location at Butu river near Kamsiling village on May 31 after police had received information that a gang wanted for a series of robberies, thefts and break-ins in East Taraka, Lae, was in the area.
Police recovered two home-made guns and ammunition at the scene.