Water cops seize cartons of mustard

 By TONY PALME KIP

POLICE in Port Moresby have confiscated 19 more cartons of mustard at the PNG Ports Motukea wharf.

This brings to 74 the number of cartons of mustard (locally known as daka) concealed in a container brought to Port Moresby by ship from Lae and Kavieng.

Water Police Sergeant John Vaki said security officers employed by Kuima Security Services at the wharf, who earlier tipped them off of the 55 cartons confiscated last Saturday, alerted them again yesterday morning.

Vaki said the 19 cartons came from New Ireland. 

He told The National that the 19 cartons were taken to the National Capital District Commission Urban Safety Division base at the 4-Mile Tarpot compound.

“There is still another 100 cartons of mustard believed to be coming from Lae and we will target all avenues,” Vakisaid.

NCDC Urban Safety director enforcement Sergeant Paul Komboi said the mustard was chewed with the (banned) betel nut.

“The betel nut ban enforcement exercise is continuing in the city and equal attention is given to the smuggling and transportation of mustard into the city,” Komboi said.

He said the demand for mustard had increased, pushing prices up. 

It is now being brought into Port Moresby from the coastal areas of Momase and New Guinea Islands.

“I want to warn the public not to waste their money buying the illegal items (betel nuts and mustard) and then paying transport cost to smuggle them into the city.”