Two more charges for Pang

By SYLVESTER WEMURU
SANCTUARY Hotel operations manager Jamie Pang was arrested again and charged on Tuesday with two counts under the PNG Dangerous Drugs Act 1951.
Pang, 43, an Australian, had also (allegedly) admitted to the arresting officer that he was convicted and jailed 18 months for Methamphetamine (meth) possession in Australia.
ACP (special operations) Donald Yamasombi said after consultation with the National Narcotics Bureau, it was discovered that there was a declaration done to the Act which was not circulated widely for awareness purpose.
“After going through that declaration, Pang was called in for questioning in the presence of his lawyers and was formally charged with making dangerous drugs, contravening Section 3 (1)(b) of the Act and in possession of dangerous drugs contravening Section 3(1)(d) of the Act,” he added.
ACP Yamasombi said it was alleged that on Nov 16 at 6.30am, Pang was in his residence in Sanctuary Hotel when the police and PNG Customs officers raided the hotel with a search warrant.
“The interagency team arrived at the hotel car park and identified him at the car park where he was served a search warrant. Pang accompanied the police and PNG Customs officers and search was conducted.
“In one of the rooms, the team found a mini clandestine laboratory (allegedly) used by Pang to produce meth,” he said.
“The production was still in progress and Pang admitted that everything in the room was his.”
ACP Yamasombi said the team then cordoned off the room and called for drug experts from the police forensic team to check the room that was turned into a drug processing laboratory.
“The search team also found and seized four firearms,” he said.
“150g of white substance was also found in a shipping container that was used as a tools and equipment storage shed.
“The white substance was then labelled by investigators and taken back to their camp.
“On Nov 19, it was taken to the PNG Customs facility for tests. The substance tested positive for meth. It was then taken to the police forensic office in Gordons for valuing.”
Pang was previously charged with 11 firearms’ charges and he pleaded guilty in the Boroko district court.
He is waiting for his sentencing date and is out on K10,000 court bail.