Warning over sale of alcohol

POLICE have warned businesses selling alcohol in Wau, Morobe, to heed rules or have their licences confiscated.
Morobe rural commander Chief Insp John Daviaga said from observations by police in Wau, the sale and consumption of alcohol was out of control and had contributed to almost 80 per cent of law and order problems in Bulolo town.
“The sale of alcohol is getting out of hand as business houses sell loose bottles and not in cartons or packs,” he said.
“People just purchase it, come out of the outlets and drink as if there is no law and order.”
In supporting Wau Police Station commander Snr Insp Leo Kaika’s warning to businesses to be mindful, Chief Insp Daviaga said police would not hesitate to confiscate any liquor licence from businesses houses or individuals who did not comply.
He said the illegal sale of liquor in rural Morobe was a concern.
He warned that the illegal sale of alcohol would result in criminal prosecution and the revocation of liquor licenses. Snr Insp Kaikas said their rule in Wau was that an individual was only allowed buy a maximum of two cartons of beer at a time and before weekends.
“Police in Wau will monitor closely and see which business houses comply and if we found those who do not comply, we will deal with them,” Snr Insp Kaikas said.
He said Wau town would have a lower crime rate if the sale of liquor was regulated properly.
Snr Insp Kaikas commended the public in Wau for working to make it a safer and more peaceful town and urged them to respect each other and work with police.
He thanked PNG Forest Products for the landscaping work at the new-look Wau Police Station that was renovated recently with support from miner Harmony Gold.