In a breakthrough for Papua New Guinea’s border security efforts, Madang police on Monday 23rd September arrested a key figure linked to a gun-smuggling syndicate operating between PNG and Indonesia. The suspect, 40-year-old Lazarus Nimimo from Yaman Village in East Sepik Province, was apprehended in Madang with parts of homemade firearms in his possession. The arrest was made by the Zulu 300 police team, which has been investigating cross-border gun trafficking. Nimimo has reportedly provided valuable intelligence on the network facilitating the illegal flow of firearms between PNG and Indonesia, a trade that has heightened security concerns in recent years. Madang’s Acting Provincial Police Commander, Superintendent Robert Baim, emphasized the serious threat posed by gun smuggling to PNG’s internal security. He highlighted the importance of this arrest as a pivotal step in dismantling the syndicate responsible for the illegal arms trade. “This arrest is just the beginning. We’re gathering further intelligence, and we expect more arrests in the coming days,” Baim stated. “The safety of our communities depends on stopping this illicit trade.” Nimimo remains in custody as the investigation continues, with authorities expecting further developments as they seek to bring down the entire network involved in the smuggling operations.