Accused smugglers arrested in Port Moresby and Daru over alleged plot to import 5kg of methamphetamine into Australia

A joint squad of Australian Federal Police and Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary officers have detained six Papua New Guineans in Daru and Port Moresby on suspicion of trying to smuggle five kilograms of methamphetamine into Australia.

Assistant Police Commissioner Special Operations Donald Yamasombi said the arrests happened in late November and early this month.

Officers from both teams apprehended five suspects in Daru while one suspect was arrested in Port Moresby on December 1.

Assistant Commissioner Yamasombi said the Daru suspects were detained on November 21 for being in possession of methamphetamine, and most of them had already appeared in court last week.

He expressed gratitude to the team of law enforcement officials for their efforts in apprehending the suspects.

Two of those arrested have been found guilty, and the remaining ones will go on trial this week. 

Assistant Commissioner Yamsombi also warned individuals who were dealing with such legal activities to stop, saying they would face the full force of the law.

He said that despite having few resources, law enforcement officials and other organisations, such as Customs PNG, were making every effort to guard the border and detain those engaged in illicit activity such as the smuggling of firearms and the trafficking of people and drugs.