Police Commissioner David Manning has welcomed news of jail time for a syndicate after a drug bust. The penalties recently handed down to these drug smugglers, including a foreigner sentenced to 19 years in a PNG jail, sends a clear message to drug smugglers attempting to use PNG for contraband that they will be caught and face long sentences, says the Police Commissioner. "Gone are the days where foreign criminals can trash our sovereignty and think they can just walk free. Today they will be caught and learn what hard justice is all about," Manning stated. "The National Court has imprisoned an Italian citizen for 19 years along with three locals incarcerated for 18 years and I am satisfied with these sentences. For too long foreigners were given light sentences or let off, but no longer." "We are catching more and more drug smugglers in recent years, particularly working with our traditional law enforcement partners in Australia and emerging law enforcement partners from across the world." "These criminals don't stop at borders, which is why we are working more closely than ever before with our partners across our region. Our information sharing arrangements, exchange of technical expertise, and joint operation arrangements are going from strength to strength. Manning affirmed that anyone trying to smuggle drugs through PNG can expect to face the local justice system. "Foreigners jailed in PNG find out very quickly that our jails are not like the luxury facilities that can be found elsewhere. Our justice systems deliver cold, hard, real justice." Meantime, the Police Commissioner reminds citizens that drug smuggling harms communities, and drugs kill kids and ruin families. Highlighting the severe consequences of drug smuggling in Papua New Guinea, the Commissioner stated, “The smuggling of cocaine, methamphetamines and other drugs is taking lives in Papua New Guinea and countries like Australia and must be stamped out at all costs.” “Drugs kill our kids, destroy families and ruin communities, so we are all working together to lock up the filth who smuggle and sell the drugs.” Manning further warned those planning to deal in drugs that they will find the region a much smaller place than it once was. "For those who seek to exploit our communities, you are warned - our investigators, judicial systems, and jails are well up to the task of delivering real justice."