A recent drug bust in the Western province saw police nab a suspect with over 4kilograms of marijuana with a street value of over K20, 000.
Police personnel in the North Fly Command arrested and charged a male suspect for being in possession of marijuana weighing 4.5kilograms with street value of K20, 000 to K30, 000.
The acting Police Provincial Commander (PPC), Inspector Anjap Minata said the suspect was arrested and charged under the amended Dangerous Drug Act under Section 3 (1) (d) and locked up at the Tabubil Police Station. The court file for the suspect is in progress and he would appear in the Tabubil District Court soon.
He said the 32-year-old suspect (name withheld) is believed to be from Sanapte village, Oksapmin Local Level Government (LLG), Teleformin district in the West Sepik Province.
Police alleged that on Saturday October 12, 2024, between 1pm-2pm, the suspect was traveling on a Toyota Land Cruiser open back vehicle from Teleformin to Tabubil. The suspect upon seeing the police vehicle at Megalsim Hydro started acting suspiciously, prompting police officers to check his carrying bag and confiscated rolls of aluminum foils containing marijuana.
The police officers who arrested the suspect were providing escort for a National Court Judge who wanted to visit the Megalsim Hydro site along the Kiunga- Telefomin Highway.
Acting PPC Minata said the suspect was brought to the police station where he was formally charged.
“I warn the people of Oksapmin and Teleformin who are engaged in drugs trading business to quit it,” said the acting PPC.
“It is a fast-money-making business and is on demand on the street but by doing this illegal business you are only destroying the lives of younger generation of this nation.”
“If you have a son or daughter and doing this illegal business, your children will pay the price of your illegal practices,” PPC Minata said.
Minata encouraged people not to engage in this illegal drug smuggling and trade business. He said there are many ways they can make money for their survival, and selling illicit drugs is certainly not the way.