The Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) Southern Command is looking to uncover an alleged drug syndicate operating in the Southern Region and persons of high offices within the region.
Southern Commander, Chief Superintendent Clement Dalla, said after the indication given by the Member for Kerema Open Mr. Thomas Opa last year during the launch of the Gulf Police Festive Operations, he and his officers have commenced planning to counter this syndicate.
“There is some form of a syndicate on the ground, including in the police and other people who have networks in the province, but we have yet to identify who exactly is behind those and the group that is going around using government authorities to by-pass detection.”
The Southern Commander also stated that they are planning to increase police presence in the area along the waterways to try counter the alleged drug syndicate in the Southern Region, especially in the Gulf and Southern Highlands provinces. Dalla added that they will be looking to establish a water police base at Kikori to monitor the surrounding areas.
They will also be establishing a police station at the border of the two provinces. This will be constructed with the support from Total Energy along the corridors where drug trade has increased and with the new road link from the highlands towards Kikori, there is a huge number of people heading to the National Capital to conduct business and some might not be the ideal type of business.