Two women face drug charges

National, Normal
Source:

The National, Wednesday 8th May 2013

 TWO women were among six people charged by police in East New Britain last weekend with possessing marijuana.

Acting provincial police commander Snr Insp David Yapu yesterday identified the two women as Angela Francis, 30, from Sigoya in BenaBena, Eastern Highlands, and Salanitha Marin, 24, from Amele in Madang. 

The two travelled from Lae to Kokopo last Sunday with a bag containing marijuana.

At Tokua Airport, four men Thomas Emil, 26, from Rainiou, Kokopo; Nelson Martin, 25; Nobert Kiaplen, 27; and Chris Kukmil, 20 – all from Napapar No.2 village in Gazelle were waiting for the two women to arrive.

Yapu said police after receiving a tip-off used an unmarked vehicle to intercept the suspects at Tokua.

They are expected to appear in the Rabaul District Court today.

In a similar incident last month, a 45-year-old man from Parame village in Ambunti, East Sepik, was arrested at Tokua Airport after bringing in marijuana from Lae.

Yapu said on April 29, Abraham Gawi arrived in Tokua on a flight and the bag containing the drug arrived on the next flight.

While checking at the airport for his cargo, police searched the bag and discovered the drug.

He said previously people used ships to transport drugs but were now using air travel.

He said police were also monitoring hotspots, including the beachfront and wharf.